The Gauhati High Court closed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed for a direction to the respondent authorities to investigate the money laundering aspect in “APPSC Cash for Job Scam”.
It is contended that the Special Investigation (vigilance) has investigated the criminal act.
Thereafter, the matter was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). According to the petitioner, the Act of Money Laundering has not been investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. Hence, this petition for a direction to the Enforcement Directorate to investigate over money laundering Act of “APPSC Cash for Job Scam”.
The respondent had filed the affidavit on 07.03.2023 and 12.08.2023, clearly placing on record that the Directorate Enforcement on 25.01.2023 has recorded the case and the investigation under Prevention of Money Laundering Act was initiated.
It is stated that investigation under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 is in progress. Information of the details of the document in respect of the suspected persons from various telecom companies have been gathered to accumulate the relevant evidence. In addition to already identified immovable properties, officials of the respondents are making all efforts to identify the movable properties in the form of investments/insurance policies and undisclosed bank accounts and immovable properties of the suspected persons in the matter.
It is further stated that all lawful action as may be required, if the evidences so reveal, as taken by the provision of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
Having considered the above, the Itanagar Division Bench of Justice Susmita Phukan Khaund and Justice Kardak Ete found that the prayer for direction to investigate over the Money Laundering act of APPSC Cash for Job Scam has been duly redressed. Therefore, no issue remains to be determined in the present proceeding.