Economic offences like money laundering under the PMLA warrant severe scrutiny for bail, emphasizing the right to a speedy trial while recognizing the gravity of the allegations and prolonged detention.

JUDGMENT :

Tirthankar Ghosh, J.

1. Petitioner has prayed for bail in connection with M.L. Case No. 01/2023 pending before the Learned Special Judge, CBI Court No.1 (being the learned Judge-in-charge of E.D. Court) as he is in custody for more than 14 months and there has been no progress in the case, further according to the petitioner investigation is still continuing and there is hardly any possibility of the trial commencing soon.

2. The genesis of the case was on the basis of a complaint by the Regional Manager, Regional Office III, Canara Bank, Kolkata and the subject related to one of the branches of the Bank at Narendrapur, B.D. Memorial Institute, West Bengal wherein M/s. T.M. Traders (A/C No. 120001761068) and M/s. K.K. Traders (A/C no. 120001761042) opened current account in their names on 31.08.2022. The aforesaid two firms submitted their KYC documents alongwith the account opening forms. Transactions were made on 12.09.2022 by M/s. T.M. Traders and on 03.09.2022 by M/s. K.K. Traders in their account. During the initial stage there were no huge transactions noticed by OTM Cell, Bangalore, (which is the controlling office of the bank, engaged in vigilance over abnormal transactions in newly opened accounts). On 17.09.2022 after observing huge debit transaction in the account of the aforesaid two firms Regional Office –III was informed for confirming regarding the genuineness of the account and for KYC compliance. As there were huge debit credit entries within a span of less than a month, the credibility of the transactions were suspected, thus to cross-check the authenticity of the residential permanent address appearing in Aadhar and PAN Card address the bank officials visited the addresses so furnished when it was detected that the parties were hailing from Jamshedppur, Jharkhand. No parties were carrying out business at the address which were furnished in the account opening form and also no such parties existed at the address furnished in Jamshedpur.

3. It was alleged that the entire credits were effected through UPI, NEFT, RTGS transaction and therefore transferred to multiple accounts by the customer to the parties via internet banking channel initiated by the customer either on the same day or next day. M/s. National Payment Corporation of India alerted the head office of Canara Bank on 30.09.2022 regarding unauthorized entity using account of Canara Bank for forex funding purposes prohibited by RBI. Name of the entity/website was TP Global FX account, A/C M/s. T.M. Traders, A/c no. 120001761068, IFSC-CNRB0019754. A criminal case was directed to be initiated as the parties have committed a criminal act against the bank by involving themselves in the process of some money laundering activities by a group of unscrupulous person/persons.

4. On the basis of the aforesaid complaint dated 01.10.2022 referred to the Deputy Commissioner, Cyber Crime Police the criminal case being Hare Street P.S. Case no. 290 dated 14.10.2022 was registered for investigation under Section 120B/420/467/468/471 of the INDIAN PENAL CODE .

5. Based upon Hare Street P.S. case no. 290/2022 dated 14.10.2022 under Section 120B/420/467/471 of the INDIAN PENAL CODE , the Enforcement Directorate initiated their investigation/enquiry being ECIR/KLZO-II/21/2022 dated 21.10.2022.

6. The ECIR by and large reflected transactions made through internet banking channel used by the entity/website T.P. Global FX. Further the transfer of funds which were made from the two accounts through online mode to Punjab National Bank, Salt Lake Branch in the name of M/s.