SC reserves verdict on whether single-member non-judicial PMLA authority can confirm ED property attachments

Parmod KumarNew Delhi, Sept. 15 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on whether provisional attachment of properties by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, can be confirmed by a single-member adjudicating authority without the presence of a judicial member.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana reserved judgment after the conclusion of arguments centred on Sections 6 and 8 of the PMLA and the composition and powers of the adjudicating authority dealing with provisional attachment proceedings.

Section 8 empowers the adjudicating authority to determine whether a provisionally attached property is involved in money laundering...