PMLA Offence by CA by vitiating Legal Process of NCLT: Delhi HC Grants Bail Considering No possibility of Trial

The Delhi High Court granted bail to a CA accused of money laundering for allegedly vitiating NCLT processes, considering the unlikelihood of trial commencement within six months. Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta noted the accused had already spent 11 months in custody and the ED's investigation was substantially complete. The case involved purported manipulation of corporate insolvency resolution processes through forged creditor claims. While acknowledging the seriousness of PMLA offenses, the court balanced personal liberty with investigation needs given the case's procedural stage. The CA was directed to surrender his passport and report weekly to the ED. This decision follows recent Supreme Court guidance on bail under PMLA, emphasizing that prolonged detention without trial violates constitutional rights. The ruling may influence other pending bail petitions in white-collar crime cases where trials are delayed.