ED cannot proceed under PMLA against assets unrelated to money laundering: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court ruled that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) cannot seize assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) if they are not linked to money laundering activities. The court emphasized that the ED's jurisdiction is limited to assets derived from the proceeds of crime connected to money laundering. The decision came in response to a petition challenging the ED's actions to attach assets unrelated to alleged money laundering. This judgment clarifies that the ED must establish a direct link between the assets seized and the proceeds of crime to justify their action under the PMLA.