The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has granted regular bail to insolvency professional Jitesh Gupta in a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The court held that the proviso to Section 45 of the PMLA applies to Gupta because the alleged proceeds of crime attributed to him amount to ₹40.75 lakh, which is below the statutory ₹1 crore threshold.
As a result, Gupta was released on regular bail by the court, subject to such terms and conditions as it may deem fit, in accordance with the Section 45 proviso.
Case background
The proceedings concern money laundering investigations in which Gupta is alleged to be connected to proceeds of crime amounting to ₹40.75 lakh. The matters relate to the ongoing case under the PMLA before the Delhi court.
Implications for taxpayers, businesses and regulators
The ruling demonstrates the application of the Section 45 proviso in PMLA cases where the value of the alleged proceeds is below ₹1 crore. This can influence decisions on pre-trial detention and asset-freezing practices in money laundering investigations involving comparatively smaller sums. For insolvency professionals and corporate entities, the decision underscores the importance of robust compliance measures to mitigate liability under the PMLA and informs expectations about judicial discretion in balancing enforcement with individual liberty in lower-value cases.
