Reconsideration of PMLA judgment: SC says, another bench would have to hear the case as the Centre seeks more time

Today, the Supreme Court continued to hear a batch of applications seeking reconsideration of the judgment in Vijay Madanlal’s case where the constitutional validity of various provisions of the PMLA relating to search and seizure by the ED, arrest, the reversal of the burden of proof, and the stringent bail conditions were upheld. The matter was heard by a special bench constituting Justice Bela M Trivedi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, and Justice Sanjiv Khanna. The bench today decided that another bench of the SC would have to hear the case due to paucity of time. While stating this, the bench expressed its inability to give the judgment as the centre sought more time to frame and begin its arguments. Also, Justice Kaul is slated to retire on 25 December 2023. The bench ordered “Learned Solicitor General seeks deferment, which would leave no time for this bench to pen down an order. Amendment application is allowed. 4 weeks time is granted to file a counter-affidavit, rejoinder if any 4 weeks thereafter. The Chief Justice of India would have to reconstitute the bench in view of one of us demitting office. Necessary orders to be obtained from the Chief Justice of India.”