FINAL ORDER

28.10.2025

The present appeal arises from the order dated 15.04.2024 (“the impugned order”) of the learned Adjudicating Authority (“AA”) established under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (“PMLA”) allowing the Original Application (“OA”) filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (“ED”) seeking retention of an amount of Rs. 5,75,930/- seized from the premises of the appellant during search and seizure proceedings under section 17 of the said Act.

Facts in Brief

2. The relevant facts briefly are that an FIR bearing No. 08/2023 dated 18.10.2023 was registered by Economic Offences Wing, Trichy under sections 406, 420 and 120B of the IPC and section 5 of the Tamil Nadu Protection of Depositors (In Financial Establishment) Act 1997 against one M/s Pranav Jewellers, Trichy on the basis of a complaint filed by one Mr. Purushothaman, S/o Anbazhagan of Trichy. Since the FIR disclosed alleged offences which constituted ‘scheduled offences’ under the PMLA, the respondent directorate (ED) registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR/CEZO-II/30/2023 dated 03.11.2023) under the PMLA and undertook an investigation under the said Act against Pranav Jewellers, Trichy, it