Calcutta High Court Says ED Needs No Trial-Court Permission for Further PMLA Probe Before Trial

The Calcutta High Court held that the Enforcement Directorate may conduct further investigation in a money-laundering case after filing a prosecution complaint without first obtaining permission from the trial court, provided the trial has not commenced.

Background and legal issue

Justice Krishna Rao rejected a challenge to Section 50 notices issued during pendency of proceedings before the Special Court Filing a prosecution complaint does not necessarily exhaust the agency's investigative authority The ruling does not permit unrestricted investigation after trial begins or dispense with statutory safeguards governing summons and evidence

Reasoning and significance

On the facts before the Court, the ED could continue the investigation and the challenged notices were not barred merely by the complaint.

The legal effect is confined to the operative ruling or procedural development. Allegations and party submissions are not treated as established facts unless the court expressly decided them.