Contrary To Statute' : Supreme Court Pulls Up ED For Arguing That Stringent PMLA Bail Rigours Will Apply To Women

The Supreme Court has criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for arguing that the stringent bail conditions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) should apply to women accused of financial crimes. The court observed that this argument was contrary to the statute and the intention behind the law. The ED had contended that the same stringent bail conditions should apply to female accused persons as to male accused persons under PMLA. The Supreme Court’s ruling clarifies that gender-specific bail conditions cannot be imposed, reinforcing the principle of equality before the law.