The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the vast powers enjoyed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The verdict came on an extensive challenge raised against the amendments introduced to the 2002 Act.
Many petitions were filed against the amendments which claimed it violates personal liberty, procedures of law and the constitutional mandate.
As per the provision, ED could arrest a person even without informing him of the charges.
This power was violative of the right to ‘due process’ enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution.
Besides, Article 22 mandated that no person can be arrested without informing him or her of the grounds of the arrest.