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2017 (8) TMI 135 - HC - Money LaunderingPrevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 - attachment orders - Held that:- The offences allegedly committed by the first and second petitioners prior to 1.7.2005, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was not in force. Even after 1.7.2005, the offences were not included in the scheduled offences till 1.6.2009. Since the charge sheet dated 13.1.2009, even on that date, Prevention of Corruption Act has not included in the scheduled list of offences. Therefore, this court is of the view that if retrospective effect is given to any statute of any penal nature, it will be directly in conflict with the fundamental rights of the citizen enshrined in Article 20(1) of the Constitution of India. Admittedly, 2nd respondent filed the case only based on the charge sheet of the CBI, who have not conducted any enquiry on their own. In fact, all the documents are original documents of the alleged proceeds of crime, which are in the custody of the CBI Court. When the entire documents are in the custody of the Court, there cannot be any reason to believe that the properties will be dealt with in any other manner. The impugned order was as if 1st petitioner not able to offer any satisfactory explanation during examination. Therefore, the attachment officer has passed an order without a reason to believe that the proceeds of crime are likely to be transferred or disposal. In the absence of any sufficient reason, arriving to such conclusion by mere reproducing the words reason to believe it cannot be stated that the order has been passed after considering the entire gamut of materials. Admittedly, in this case, entire documents are available and the properties are in the custody of the court. Therefore, the order of attachment is not maintainable.
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