In Brief
The Enforcement Directorate challenged a High Court decision granting anticipatory bail to M. Gopal Reddy, an Additional Chief Secretary, in connection with money laundering investigations relating to a tender fraud scam. The Supreme Court held that the stringent conditions under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 apply to anticipatory bail proceedings, contrary to the High Court's reliance on an earlier judgment. The Court rejected the argument that acquittal of other accused precludes investigation against Reddy and found the High Court failed to consider the seriousness of economic offences. The appeal was allowed and the anticipatory bail was quashed.
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