Why in News?

• Chhattisgarh has became the first State to move the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) alleging that central investigating agencies are being misused to “intimidate”, “harass” and “disturb” normal functioning of non-BJP State government.

About the Issue:

• The Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government filed the original suit challenging the law under Article 131 of the Constitution which empowers a State to move the Supreme Court directly in matters of dispute with the Centre or any other State.
• Chhattisgarh has thus become the first State to challenge the money laundering act and its provisions.
• Earlier, private individuals and parties have challenged the law on various grounds but the validity of law was upheld by a three-judge Bench of the apex court last year.
• The suit said several complaints are being received by the State government on behalf of its officials as well as the residents of the State that the ED is “torturing, abusing, and manhandling” them in the garb of conducting a probe.
• It said because of this “blatant and excessive misuse” of powers, Chhattisgarh is being forced to approach the court.

What is Money Laundering?

• Money laundering is defined as the illegal process of converting money generated through criminal activities, such as drug trafficking or terrorist funding, to appear to have come from a legitimate source.
• The money from the criminal activity is considered ‘dirty’, and the laundering process makes it look clean.

About the Prevention of Money Laundering Act:

• It was enacted as a response to India’s global commitment (including the Vienna Convention) to curb the menace of money laundering.
• Objectives of the Act: PMLA was enacted in 2002 and it came into force in 2005, to curb money laundering (process of converting black money into white) and to provide for seizure of property derived from money-laundering.
• There are mainly 3 objectives of PMLA:
• To prevent and control money laundering.
• To confiscate and seize the property obtained from the laundered money.
• To deal with any other issue connected with money laundering in India.

Dispute redressal:

• The Adjudicating Authority is appointed by the central government. It decides whether the property attached or seized is involved in money laundering.
• The Adjudicating Authority shall not be bound by the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil Procedure,1908, but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and subject to the other provisions of PMLA.
• Appellate Tribunal: An Appellate Tribunal appointed by the Government is given the power to hear appeals against the orders of the Adjudicating Authority. Orders of the tribunal can be appealed in the appropriate High Court.
• Special Court: Provision for establishing special court by the Union government under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

PMLA (Amendment) Act, 2012:

• Adds the concept of ‘reporting entity’ which would include a banking company, financial institution, intermediary etc.
• PMLA, 2002 levied a fine up to Rs 5 lakh, but the amendment act has removed this upper limit.
• It has provided for provisional attachment and confiscation of property of any person involved in such activities.

What has the Supreme Court said?

• The very concept of the offence of money-laundering in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is “very wide” and any activity connected with the proceeds of crime is encompassed within the expression of money laundering under the legislation.

What is the Enforcement Directorate?

• Directorate of Enforcement is a specialised financial investigation agency under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance..
• On 1st May 1956, an ‘Enforcement Unit’ was formed, in the Department of Economic Affairs, for handling Exchange Control Laws violations under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947.
• In the year 1957, this Unit was renamed as ‘Enforcement Directorate’.
• ED enforces the following laws:
• Foreign Exchange Management Act,1999 (FEMA)
• Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)