The Supreme Court issued notice to the Central government on Thursday on the review petition, challenging it’s July 27 verdict, upholding the constitutional validity of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) N.V. Ramana, Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice C.T. Ravikumar, while extending the interim protection for four weeks, directed to list the matter before the CJI after four weeks.
The Apex Court observed that although the objective of PMLA was noble and the offence of money laundering was serious, but certain aspects of the judgement needed revision.
The two aspects, which the Court specifically highlighted, were not providing the accused with the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and reversal of the presumption of innocence.
The Bench said that it completely supported the prevention of black money, since the country could not afford such an offence, but that certain aspects of the July 27 verdict needed a relook.
Opposing the same, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that error in a verdict could not be the ground for review. He also said that this was not a standalone provision and that the Apex Court ruling was in tune with both the international and constitutional scheme.
The decision will have global repercussions, added the SG.
On Wednesday, the top court of the country had granted open court hearing in the review petition filed by Congress leader Karti Chidambaram, challenging the July 27 verdict of the Supreme Court, upholding the constitutional validity of PMLA.