Naveen Kumar B Appointed Member (Law) of PMLA Adjudicating Authority by Central Government

The Central Government has appointed Naveen Kumar B, a retired Additional Director (Prosecution) from the Directorate of Enforcement, as Member (Law) of the Adjudicating Authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). The appointment was made by the President of India through Office Order No.182/2026, issued by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, on August 11, 2026. The order was signed by Jatin Kumar, Under Secretary to the Government of India.

A Prosecutor Moves to the Quasi-Judicial Side

Naveen Kumar B, who spent his service years in the Directorate of Enforcement's prosecution wing, now steps into the PMLA's adjudicatory framework. The Adjudicating Authority is the quasi-judicial body that examines complaints of property attachment in money-laundering cases and determines whether the assets in question are proceeds of crime. His background gives the authority direct exposure to the way PMLA prosecutions are prepared.

"Whichever Is the Earliest"

The Office Order states:

"The President of India is pleased to appoint Shri Naveen Kumar B, retired Additional Director (Prosecution), Directorate of Enforcement as Member (Law) in the Adjudicating Authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 ."

It adds that he will hold the post "in Level 14 in the Pay Matrix, for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or till attaining the age of 65 years, or until further orders , whichever is the earliest ."

In practical terms, Naveen Kumar B's tenure runs for five years from the day he takes charge, but it will end earlier if he turns 65 or if the government issues a fresh order.

The Road Ahead

The order has been circulated to the Prime Minister's Office, the Cabinet Secretariat, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, the Directorate of Enforcement and the Department of Personnel and Training. With this appointment, the PMLA Adjudicating Authority gains a law member who has worked closely with the agency that investigates and prosecutes money-laundering offences.