Madras HC Orders De-Sealing of Premises After ED Admits Lack of Basis

Vikram Ravindran Vs Joint Director (Madras High Court) In a significant development, the Madras High Court has ordered the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to de-seal premises belonging to Vikram Ravindran, finding that the federal agency acted “wholly without authority or jurisdiction” in its search, seizure, and sealing operations. The court’s decision hinged on the ED’s inability to demonstrate a valid “reason to believe” that the petitioner was involved in money laundering, as mandated by Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The petit...