Overview

• The Supreme Court has reconstituted a three-judge bench to review its July 2022 judgment upholding the Enforcement Directorate's powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
• The new bench includes Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N Kotiswar Singh, replacing Justice CT Ravikumar, who retired in January 2025.
• Petitions challenge the 2022 verdict on procedural grounds, including concerns over non-disclosure of Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIR) and the reversal of presumption of innocence.
• The 2022 ruling upheld stringent PMLA provisions, granting the ED significant powers of arrest and property attachment while deeming money laundering a grave financial threat.
• The hearing on the review petitions is set for May 7, 2025, marking the next step in reassessing the balance between anti-money laundering enforcement and individual rights.