PMLA review pleas: CJI-led new bench to take up matter

New Delhi: A new three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, will preside over review petitions filed against the top court's 2022 ruling on PMLA which upheld various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The bench will comprise CJI Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.

The court decided this on Thursday after obtaining consent from all involved parties. The matter was earlier being heard by a bench of CJI Surya Kant and justices Ujjal Bhuyan and NK Singh.

However, the CJI told the parties on Thursday that listing the case before that bench would require breaking three other benches since justice Bhuyan and Singh are now sitting as part of other benches. "If we list it before the original bench, then three benches will have to be broken. I have only listed this matter so that your consent can be recorded for the bench allocation," CJI Kant said on Thursday.


Solicitor general Tushar Mehta and Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal consented. Due to the urgency, the apex court bench decided to fix a hearing date.

The landmark judgement, under challenge, was delivered in July 2022 by a three-member bench which held that the PMLA is a "unique and special legislation". Upholding the constitutional validity of relevant provisions of the 2002 Act, the three-member bench upheld the ED's powers to inquire, arrest, and attach property.