JUDGMENT :

(Subhash Vidyarthi, J.)

1. Heard Sri Purnendu Chakravarti, Sri Ritvik Rai and Sri Aviral Raj Singh, the learned counsel for the applicant and Sri Kuldeep Srivastava, the learned counsel for the respondent - Directorate of Enforcement (which will hereinafter be referred to as ‘the E.D.’).

2. By means of the instant application filed under Section 4 82 Cr.P.C., the applicant has prayed for quashing of a complaint dated 16.09.2017 filed by the Directorate of Enforcement against the applicant, the cognizance and summoning order dated 02.04.2018 and the entire proceedings of Sessions Case No. 123 of 2023, under Section 3 & 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 in the Court of Special Judge (C.B.I.), Court No. III, Lucknow, qua the applicant.

3. Briefly stated, facts of the case are that initially on 27.12.2008, the Chief Regional Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, Zonal Office, Lucknow sent a complaint to the Superintendent of Police, C.B.I., Bank Securities and Frauds Cell, New Delhi complaining about certain fraudulent transactions and stating that : -

“It would thus be clear from the above that the functioning of the Branch during the tenure of Shri. A.K. Dutta was any