Tue Jul 15 10:25:32 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
The Supreme Court of India has scheduled a hearing for July 31, 2025, to review its 2022 verdict upholding the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This review comes after petitions were filed challenging the initial ruling, particularly regarding the ED’s authority to arrest, seize property, and the requirement of providing the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) to the accused. The original 2022 verdict had affirmed the validity of key PMLA provisions, including the ED’s broad powers, stating that money laundering posed a global threat. The upcoming hearing will focus on specific issues flagged by the Supreme Court related to ECIR copies and burden of proof. The PMLA law has been a subject of political debate, with the opposition alleging its use for political targeting.
**News Article:**
**Supreme Court to Revisit ED’s Sweeping Powers Under PMLA**
**New Delhi, July 15, 2025:** The Supreme Court has set July 31st as the date to hear a batch of petitions seeking a review of its landmark 2022 judgment that affirmed the extensive powers of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The bench, comprised of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, adjourned the matter to allow Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to be present for the hearing. The review petitions challenge the ED’s authority to arrest, seize property, and conduct searches under the PMLA.
The 2022 verdict had upheld the validity of key provisions within the PMLA, deeming money laundering a significant threat to the global financial system. The court had then ruled that authorities under the PMLA are not considered police officers, and the ECIR, equivalent to an FIR, does not need to be disclosed in every case. Instead, the ED would disclose the grounds for the arrest.
The upcoming hearing is expected to focus on specific concerns raised by the court when it initially agreed to review the verdict in August 2022. These concerns involve the mandatory provision of Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs) to the accused and the reversal of the burden of proof as stated in Section 24 of the PMLA.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, had previously argued that the matter should be referred to a larger bench. The PMLA has been a contentious issue, with opposition parties often accusing the government of using it as a tool to target political opponents. The Supreme Court’s decision on July 31st could significantly impact the scope of the ED’s powers and the rights of individuals accused of money laundering.
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