SANJEEV BINDAL Vs. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is challenging order dtd. 2/1/2025 passed by the Court of learned Special Judge, PMLA Court, Chandigarh vide which his application seeking the concession of anticipatory bail under Sec. 482 of BNSS in ECIR No.CDZO-I/15/2023 dtd. 26/10/2023 under Ss. 3 & 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (hereinafter referred to as, 'PMLA') has been rejected.

(2.) Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is a reputed Real Estate Developer with a long standing presence in the Industry, and has no direct nexus with the alleged predicate offence, i.e. FIR No.116 of 2023. On the contrary, it is asserted that the petitioner had actively brought certain financial irregularities in the functioning of Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) to the notice of higher authorities, thereby acting as a whistleblower rather than a participant in any criminal activity.

(3.) It is further submitted that the petitioner has cooperated with the Investigating Agency to the extent possible. However, due to a serious spinal injury, he is presently bedridden and unable to appear in person before the authorities. Emphasis is placed on the proviso to Sec. 45 of the PMLA which carves out an exception for granting bail to persons who are sick or infirm.