2 minAct/Law
Act/Law

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 क्या है?

An Act of the Parliament of India enacted to prevent money laundering, provide for the confiscation of property derived from or involved in money laundering, and address related matters. It is India's principal legislation against financial crime.

ऐतिहासिक पृष्ठभूमि

Enacted in response to India's international commitments to combat money laundering, particularly the political declaration and 40 recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). It came into force on July 1, 2005, and has undergone several amendments (e.g., in 2005, 2009, 2012, 2019) to strengthen its provisions and align with evolving international standards.

मुख्य प्रावधान

10 points
  • 1.

    Definition of Money Laundering: Section 3 defines the offense, including direct or indirect involvement in any process or activity connected with the 'proceeds of crime'.

  • 2.

    Predicate Offenses: Specifies a schedule of offenses (e.g., drug trafficking, corruption, fraud, terrorism) whose proceeds are considered 'proceeds of crime' under PMLA, triggering its application.

  • 3.

    Powers of ED: Grants the Enforcement Directorate (ED) extensive powers of investigation, search, seizure, arrest, and provisional attachment of properties.

  • 4.

    Provisional Attachment: Allows ED to provisionally attach properties for up to 180 days if it believes they are proceeds of crime and are likely to be concealed or transferred.

  • 5.

    Adjudicating Authority: A quasi-judicial body established under PMLA to confirm provisional attachments and hear appeals, ensuring due process.

  • 6.

    Special Courts: Designates Special Courts (PMLA Courts) for the expeditious trial of offenses under the Act, presided over by a Sessions Judge or Additional Sessions Judge.

  • 7.

    Confiscation: Provides for the confiscation of properties involved in money laundering upon conviction, depriving criminals of their ill-gotten wealth.

  • 8.

    Obligations on Financial Institutions: Mandates banks, financial institutions, and intermediaries to maintain records, verify client identity (KYC), and report suspicious transactions (STRs) to FIU-IND.

  • 9.

    Reverse Burden of Proof: In certain cases, the burden of proving that the property is not proceeds of crime may shift to the accused, especially if they are in possession of such property.

  • 10.

    Punishment: Prescribes rigorous imprisonment for a term of 3 to 7 years (extendable to 10 years for offenses related to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) and fines.

दृश्य सामग्री

Legislative Journey of PMLA, 2002

This timeline illustrates the key events leading to the enactment and subsequent strengthening of India's principal anti-money laundering law, PMLA, reflecting national and international efforts.

PMLA's evolution demonstrates India's commitment to combat money laundering, driven by international obligations and the need to strengthen its domestic legal framework against financial crimes. The recent Supreme Court judgment has further solidified its legal standing.

  • 1988UN Vienna Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (International impetus).
  • 1989Financial Action Task Force (FATF) established to set AML standards.
  • 2000UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Convention) signed.
  • 2002Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) enacted by Indian Parliament.
  • 2005PMLA comes into force (July 1, 2005), establishing ED's powers.
  • 2005, 2009, 2012Key amendments to PMLA to strengthen provisions and align with FATF recommendations.
  • 2019Significant amendments to PMLA, expanding 'proceeds of crime' definition and ED's powers.
  • 2022Supreme Court upholds constitutional validity of key PMLA provisions (e.g., arrest, search, seizure, reverse burden of proof).
  • 2024ED attaches Reliance Group assets under PMLA (Current News).

PMLA, 2002: Key Provisions & Framework

This mind map breaks down the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, into its core components, illustrating its definition of money laundering, the powers it grants, and the institutional mechanisms it establishes.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

  • Objective
  • Definition of Money Laundering (Section 3)
  • Powers of Enforcement Directorate (ED)
  • Institutional Framework
  • Other Key Provisions
  • Recent Developments

हालिया विकास

5 विकास

Supreme Court's landmark 2022 judgment upheld the constitutional validity of key PMLA provisions, including ED's powers of arrest, search, and seizure, and the reverse burden of proof, reinforcing the Act's strength.

Amendments in 2019 expanded the definition of 'proceeds of crime' to include properties derived from criminal activity even if not directly related to the scheduled offense, and enhanced ED's powers.

Increased scrutiny of the Act's implementation and potential for misuse, leading to ongoing public and legal debates.

Inclusion of new offenses in the schedule of predicate offenses to cover a wider range of financial crimes.

Focus on tracing and attaching assets located abroad through mutual legal assistance treaties.

स्रोत विषय

ED Attaches Reliance Group Assets Worth ₹1,120 Crore in Money Laundering Probe

Polity & Governance

UPSC महत्व

Extremely important for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Government Policies & Interventions, Statutory Bodies) and GS Paper 3 (Internal Security, Economic Crimes, Challenges to Internal Security). A frequently debated and tested law, especially its provisions, the powers it grants to ED, and its impact on fundamental rights.

Legislative Journey of PMLA, 2002

This timeline illustrates the key events leading to the enactment and subsequent strengthening of India's principal anti-money laundering law, PMLA, reflecting national and international efforts.

1988

UN Vienna Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (International impetus).

1989

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) established to set AML standards.

2000

UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Convention) signed.

2002

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) enacted by Indian Parliament.

2005

PMLA comes into force (July 1, 2005), establishing ED's powers.

2005, 2009, 2012

Key amendments to PMLA to strengthen provisions and align with FATF recommendations.

2019

Significant amendments to PMLA, expanding 'proceeds of crime' definition and ED's powers.

2022

Supreme Court upholds constitutional validity of key PMLA provisions (e.g., arrest, search, seizure, reverse burden of proof).

2024

ED attaches Reliance Group assets under PMLA (Current News).

Connected to current news

PMLA, 2002: Key Provisions & Framework

This mind map breaks down the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, into its core components, illustrating its definition of money laundering, the powers it grants, and the institutional mechanisms it establishes.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

Prevent Money Laundering

Confiscate Property from ML

Direct/Indirect involvement in 'proceeds of crime'

'Proceeds of Crime' from Scheduled Offenses

Investigation

Search & Seizure

Arrest

Provisional Attachment of Property (Sec 5)

Adjudicating Authority (Confirms attachment)

Special Courts (PMLA Courts for trial)

Appellate Tribunal (Appeals against orders)

Schedule of Predicate Offenses

Confiscation of Property (upon conviction)

Reverse Burden of Proof (in certain cases)

Punishment (Imprisonment & Fines)

Obligations on Financial Institutions (KYC, STRs)

SC upholds PMLA validity (2022)

2019 Amendments (Expanded scope)

Connections
ObjectiveDefinition of Money Laundering (Section 3)
Definition of Money Laundering (Section 3)Powers of Enforcement Directorate (ED)
Powers of Enforcement Directorate (ED)Institutional Framework
Institutional FrameworkOther Key Provisions
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