Punj Kumar Singh v. The Union of India through the Assistant Director, Enforcement Directorate
Case brief
What is this about?
Patna High Court, C.A.V. order dated 18-09-2025 by Chandra Shekhar Jha, J., in Cr. Misc. No. 16143 of 2025: regular bail granted under PMLA to Punj Kumar Singh, ex-Director of M/s Broadson Commodities Pvt. Ltd., in Special Trial (PMLA) Case No. 06 of 2024 / ECIR No. PTZO/14/2023 (illegal sand mining, sale without e-challans; scheduled offences Ss. 411, 420, 120B IPC). Key points: Section 45 PMLA 'reasonable grounds for believing' = probability/genuine-case standard, not proof beyond reasonable doubt; right to speedy trial (Article 21) overrides Section 45 rigors; 149 witnesses, 221 exhibits, 13,283 pages; trial not commenced; ~1 year custody vs 7-year maximum sentence; bail bond Rs. 10,000 with two sureties; conditions under Section 480(3) BNSS. Themes: twin conditions Section 45 PMLA, proceeds of crime Section 2(1)(u), predicate offence sine qua non, parity with co-accused Kanhaiya Prasad, Income Tax loose sheets, Bihar Minerals Rule 59, e-transit challan revenue loss Rs. 77.63 crore.