✦ Karnataka High Court · 02 Jun 2026

SMT. JAYAMMA v. THE DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT

Case at a glance

Outcome

Disposed of

Accordingly, the petition is disposed of

Key paragraphs

  • Para 2626. Insofar as such contention is concerned, the position of law appears to be well settled and the Apex - 11 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR Court has held that under exceptional circumstances, the available statutory remedies may not be a…
  • Para 4141. Though Sections 5, 8 and 26 of PMLA do form a self-contained code, however, there are certain procedural aspects leading to exercise of power under Second Proviso - 23 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR of Section 5, the breach of…
  • Para 4343. The respondent has relied on the order passed in JSW Steel Ltd. v. Deputy Director, Directorate of Enforcement etc.5 requesting the court to relegate the 5 (2025) SCC Online SC 2150 - 24 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR petitioner to…

Judgment

The complaint filed by Sri Snehamayi Krishna is on the premise that accused no.2 was allotted 14 sites by MUDA under the undue influence of accused no.1 and in connivance with accused No.3 and accused no.4 (reference to the accused is in the context of proceedings before the Special Court).

#10. While the Lokayukta Police registered FIR bearing Crime No.11/2024 for the offences as detailed at para-6 as regards the predicate offences, while the respondent registered ECIR/BGZO/25/2024 on 01.10.2024 for the offences punishable under Sections 120-B and 420 of IPC and Section 9 and 13 of the P.C. Act, 1988.

#11. Though the petitioner is not arraigned as an accused, however the sites allotted to the petitioner is stated to constitute proceeds of crime, which have been attached through the provisional order of attachment. - 6 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR

#12. It is also borne out from the records that the Writ Petition was filed on 09.09.2025 challenging the order of provisional attachment dated 09.06.2025. On the basis of provisional attachment order, it is further stated that complaint came to be filed under the provisions of the PMLA on 07.07.2025.

#13. It is made out from the facts that the respondent pursuant to the provisional attachment order has registered original complaint No.301/2025 before the Adjudicating Authority. It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Adjudicating Authority has passed its order on 26.11.2025 confirming the order of provisional attachment. CONTENTIONS OF THE PETITIONER

#14. The petitioner has assailed the order of provisional attachment on the following grounds: - 7 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR

#15. The Director or Officer not below the rank of Deputy Director has not applied his mind nor recorded the essential findings as contemplated under the second proviso to Section 5(1) of PMLA before passing an order of provisional attachment.

#16. Except for reproducing the language in the statutory provision, no grounds were made out for passing of provisional order of attachment that: (i) The imminent urgency for attachment of the properties was not made out. (ii) Absence of material that had formed the basis to believe that there was such urgency. (iii) The reasons to believe as recorded in the order of the provisional attachment is common as regards all properties as well as all the accused in an "omnibus and cyclostyled manner." - 8 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR

#17. The petitioner had placed reliance on the judgment of the Apex Court in the case of Radha Krishan Industries v. State of Himachal Pradesh and Others1 wherein, the Apex Court while dealing with Section 83 of the Himachal Pradesh Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 had observed that, it is not mere expediency but necessity to pass an order of provisional attachment to protect interest of Government Revenue, required demonstration.

#18. Reliance is also placed on the judgment of Guwahati High Court in the case of Aftabuddin Ahmed and Another v. Enforcement Directorate and Others2 to contend that mere reiteration of the language of the statute without recording the basis and on what material belief was formed and reduced into writing, would not amount to compliance with the procedural requirements under Section 5(1) of the Act. 1 (2021) 6 SCC 771 2 2024 SCC Online Gau 401 - 9 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR CONTENTIONS OF THE RESPONDENT .-

#19. The Writ Petition is not maintainable to assail the impugned order in light of the provisions available for legal redressal in terms of the statutory scheme of PMLA.

#20. The statutory process must be allowed to progress without interference by pre-judging the issue.

#21. The order of the Adjudicating Authority has already been passed confirming the order of provisional attachment against which appellate remedy is open to be invoked.

#22. The non-attachment would result in transfer and dissipation of proceeds of crime.

#23. The Court cannot sit in judgment on formation of opinion regarding "reasons to believe". No exceptional circumstances or mala fides are made out justifying the intervention. - 10 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR

#24. There is substantial evidence to demonstrate that the sites constituted proceeds of crime and there has been strict adherence to procedural requirements making out no grounds for intervention through judicial review. ANALYSIS:

#25. At the outset, the respondent has contended that the Writ Petition is not maintainable in light of the statutory scheme of redressal provided under the PMLA and has drawn specific attention to the order of the Adjudicating Authority passed on 26.11.2025 confirming the order of provisional attachment after following the procedure contemplated under Section 8 of PMLA. It is further contended that, as against such order of the Adjudicating Authority, the aggrieved person has further opportunity of redressal by filing an appeal under Section 26 of PMLA before the Appellate Authority.

#26. Insofar as such contention is concerned, the position of law appears to be well settled and the Apex - 11 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR Court has held that under exceptional circumstances, the available statutory remedies may not be a bar for invocation of jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India as observed in Whirlpool Corporation v. Registrar of Trade Marks, Mumbai and Others3 (Whirlpool) infra.

#27. The Apex Court in Godrej Sara Lee Ltd. v. Excise and Taxation Officer-cum-Assessing Authority and Others4 has observed that the power to issue prerogative writs under Article 226 is plenary in nature that exercise of power conferred under writ jurisdiction being discretionary and it is for the court to decide as to exercise of such power in appropriate circumstances. The distinction was drawn between the concept of maintainability and entertainability and it was observed though a writ petition would be maintainable, however, whether the same could be entertained is a matter of judicial discretion and has 3 (1998) 8 SCC 1 4 (2023) SCC Online SC 95 - 12 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR reiterated the observations in the case of Whirlpool (supra) as well.

#28. The observations made in Whirlpool (supra) at paras-5 and 6 are of relevance and extracted below: "5. A little after the dawn of the Constitution, a Constitution Bench of this Court in its decision reported in [1958] SCR 595 (State of Uttar Pradesh v. Mohammad Nooh) had the occasion to observe as follows : "10. In the next place it must be borne in mind that there is no rule, with regard to certiorari as there is with mandamus, that it will lie only where there is no other equally effective remedy. It is well established that, provided the requisite grounds exist, certiorari will lie although a right of appeal has been conferred by statute, (Halsbury's Laws of England, 3rd Edn., Vol. 11, p. 130 and the cases cited there). The fact that the aggrieved party has another and adequate remedy may be taken into consideration by the superior court in arriving at a conclusion as to whether it should, in exercise of its discretion, issue a writ of certiorari to quash the proceedings and decisions of inferior courts subordinate to it and ordinarily the superior - 13 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR court will decline to interfere until the aggrieved party has exhausted his other statutory remedies, if any. But this rule requiring the exhaustion of statutory remedies before the writ will be granted is a rule of policy, convenience and discretion rather than a rule of law and instances are numerous where a writ of certiorari has been issued in spite of the fact that the aggrieved party had other adequate legal remedies.. . ."

#6. At the end of the last century, this court in paragraph 15 of its decision reported in (1998) 8 SCC 1 (Whirlpool Corporation v. Registrar of Trade Marks, Mumbai) carved out the exceptions on the existence whereof a writ court would be justified in entertaining a writ petition despite the party approaching it not having availed the alternative remedy provided by the statute. The same read as under : (i) where the writ petition seeks enforcement of any of the fundamental rights ; (ii) where there is violation of principles of natural justice ; (iii) where the order or the proceedings are wholly without jurisdiction ; or - 14 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR (iv) where the vires of an Act is challenged."

#29. Hence, it is for the court to decide as to whether it needs to entertain the petition and intervene or allow the proceedings under the statutory scheme to progress to a logical conclusion.

#30. The non-following of the procedure prescribed under the Second Proviso to Section 5(1) of PMLA would be a jurisdictional issue that would warrant interference in exercise of writ jurisdiction as being a recognized exemption for waiving of statutory remedy as made out in the case of Whirlpool [(supra) (see exception (iii) at para-6)].

#31. At the outset, it would also be necessary to examine as to whether the statutory scheme does provide for an alternative efficacious remedy of redressal as regards the person aggrieved by not following of the procedure prescribed under second proviso to Section 5 before passing of an order of provisional attachment. - 15 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR

#32. The question of relegating an aggrieved person to avail of statutory remedy would be only when the statutory remedy provides for a forum for redressal of grievance.

#33. Under the scheme of PMLA, an order of provisional attachment when passed under Section 5 would be followed by forwarding of a copy along with material in possession of the competent Officer to the Adjudicating Authority in terms of Section 5(2).

#34. Subsequently, a complaint will have to be filed before the Adjudicating Authority in terms of Section 5(5) of PMLA and finally the process of adjudication is resorted and under Section 8 an order is passed by the Adjudicating Authority. It would be necessary to take note of the procedure and power under Section 8 of PMLA.

#35. Section 8 of PMLA reads as follows: "8. Adjudication.—(1) On receipt of a complaint under sub-section (5) of section 5, or - 16 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR applications made under sub-section (4) of section 17 or under sub-section (10) of section 18, if the Adjudicating Authority has reason to believe that any person has committed an [offence under section 3 or is in possession of proceeds of crime], it may serve a notice of not less than thirty days on such person calling upon him to indicate the sources of his income, earning or assets, out of which or by means of which he has acquired the property attached under sub-section (1) of section 5, or, seized [or frozen] under section 17 or section 18, the evidence on which he relies and other relevant information and particulars, and to show cause why all or any of such properties should not be declared to be the properties involved in money- laundering and confiscated by the Central Government: Provided that where a notice under this sub- section specifies any property as being held by a person on behalf of any other person, a copy of such notice shall also be served upon such other person: Provided further that where such property is held jointly by more than one person, such notice shall be served to all persons holding such property. - 17 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR (2) The Adjudicating Authority shall, after— (a) considering the reply, if any, to the notice issued under sub-section (1); (b) hearing the aggrieved person and the Director or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf; and (c) taking into account all relevant materials placed on record before him, by an order, record a finding whether all or any of the properties referred to in the notice issued under subsection (1) are involved in money-laundering: Provided that if the property is claimed by a person, other than a person to whom the notice had been issued, such person shall also be given an opportunity of being heard to prove that the property is not involved in money-laundering. (3) Where the Adjudicating Authority decides under sub-section (2) that any property is involved in money-laundering, he shall, by an order in writing, confirm the attachment of the property made under subsection (1) of section 5 or retention of property or 3[record seized or frozen under section 17 or section 18 and record a finding to that - 18 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR effect, whereupon such attachment or retention or freezing of the seized or frozen property] or record shall— (a) continue during [investigation for a period not exceeding 2[three hundred and sixty-five days] or] the pendency of the proceedings relating to any [offence under this Act before a court or under the corresponding law of any other country, before the competent court of criminal jurisdiction outside India, as the case may be; and] [(b) become final after an order of confiscation is passed under sub-section (5) or sub- section (7) of section 8 or section 58B or sub- section (2A) of section 60 by the [Special Court];] [Explanation.—For the purposes of computing the period of three hundred and sixty-five days under clause (a), the period during which the investigation is stayed by any court under any law for the time being in force shall be excluded.] (4) Where the provisional order of attachment made under sub-section (1) of section 5 has been confirmed under sub-section (3), the Director or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf shall forthwith take the [possession of the property attached under section 5 or frozen under sub- - 19 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR section (1A) of section 17, in such manner as may be prescribed: Provided that if it is not practicable to take possession of a property frozen under sub- section (1A) of section 17, the order of confiscation shall have the same effect as if the property had been taken possession of.] [(5) Where on conclusion of a trial of an offence under this Act, the Special Court finds that the offence of money-laundering has been committed, it shall order that such property involved in the moneylaundering or which has been used for commission of the offence of money- laundering shall stand confiscated to the Central Government. (6) Where on conclusion of a trial under this Act, the Special Court finds that the offence of moneylaundering has not taken place or the property is not involved in money-laundering, it shall order release of such property to the person entitled to receive it. (7) Where the trial under this Act cannot be conducted by reason of the death of the accused or the accused being declared a proclaimed offender or for any other reason or having commenced but could not be concluded, the Special Court shall, on - 20 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR an application moved by the Director or a person claiming to be entitled to possession of a property in respect of which an order has been passed under sub-section (3) of section 8, pass appropriate orders regarding confiscation or release of the property, as the case may be, involved in the offence of money-laundering after having regard to the material before it.] [(8) Where a property stands confiscated to the Central Government under sub-section (5), the Special Court, in such manner as may be prescribed, may also direct the Central Government to restore such confiscated property or part thereof of a claimant with a legitimate interest in the property, who may have suffered a quantifiable loss as a result of the offence of money laundering: Provided that the Special Court shall not consider such claim unless it is satisfied that the claimant has acted in good faith and has suffered loss despite having taken all reasonable precautions and is not involved in the offence of money laundering:] [Provided further that the Special Court may, if it thinks fit, consider the claim of the claimant for the purposes of restoration of such properties - 21 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR during the trial of the case in such manner as may be prescribed.]

#36. In terms of Section 8 of PMLA, the owner of the property which is subject to an order of provisional attachment is: (i) served with a notice calling upon him to indicate sources of his income, earning or assets, out of which or by means of which he has acquired the property attached; (ii) show-cause why all or any of the properties should not be declared to be properties involved in money laundering and confiscated by the Central Government.

#37. The Adjudicating Authority may Section 8(2) after perusal of reply is theoretically vested with the power to drop the proceedings or to proceed under Section 8(3) to confirm the attachment of property. Needless to state, the Adjudicating Authority is required to record a finding as to whether the properties are involved in money laundering. - 22 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR

#38. However, the procedure contemplated under Section 8 does not provide for testing the validity of the order of provisional attachment for non-following of the procedural requirement under Second Proviso Section 5 (1).

#39. As rightly contended by Sri Jaysham Jayasimha Rao, learned counsel for petitioner, the procedure prescribed under Section 8 is limited to confirmation of order of attachment, subject to the owner of the property establishing that the acquisition of property which is attached was acquired from sources of his income, earning or assets.

#40. The procedural safeguard provided under Second Proviso to Section 5 as in the present case cannot be a matter of enquiry before the Adjudicating Authority.

#41. Though Sections 5, 8 and 26 of PMLA do form a self-contained code, however, there are certain procedural aspects leading to exercise of power under Second Proviso - 23 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR of Section 5, the breach of which are not aspects that could be a subject matter of proceedings under Section 8. Accordingly, the power under Section 8 does not permit such enquiry as is raised in the present case.

#42. If that were to be so, it cannot be stated that the power conferred under Section 8 could be an efficacious alternative remedy to redress a grievance regarding non-following of restrictions imposed exercise of power in the context of the Second Proviso to Section 5 of PMLA. Needless to state that, even if it was assumed that there was an alternative remedy in terms of law enunciated in Godrej Sara Lee Ltd. (supra), a writ petition would nevertheless be entertainable though subject to fulfillment of certain criteria.

#43. The respondent has relied on the order passed in JSW Steel Ltd. v. Deputy Director, Directorate of Enforcement etc.5 requesting the court to relegate the 5 (2025) SCC Online SC 2150 - 24 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR petitioner to avail of remedy under proceedings prescribed under the statute. However, the observations made by the Apex Court regarding the requirement for the parties to avail of the statutory remedy as the Act provided for a “…..comprehensive and self contained adjudicatory mechanism.” The observations must be looked at in the context of the facts. The Apex Court was considering a factual and legal matrix where there was a challenge to the proceedings emanating from the ECIR and the taking of cognizance of offences. However, in the present case the challenge is to the jurisdiction to pass an order under second proviso to Section 5 without following the procedure. Such fact of the order being passed under the second proviso to Section 5 which requires certain procedural safeguards to be adhered to and such non-adherence being challenged would present a factual matrix different from that before the Apex Court. Accordingly, the judgment of the Apex Court cannot be - 25 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR made applicable to the case on hand in light the discussion made.

#44. The respondent has relied on the judgment in Dyani Antony Paul and Others v. Union of India, Department of Directorate of Enforcement and Another6 to contend that the Court ought not to entertain the writ petition, as the PMLA provides for a comprehensive scheme redressal of grievance. However, in Dyani Antony Paul (supra), Co-ordinate Bench though recognizes the statutory scheme, however, has proceeded to entertain the writ petition observing that grounds urged touch upon the jurisdiction of the Authority to adjudicate and the procedural aspects alleging violation of principles of natural justice. The observations at para-161 would be relevant and the same is extracted herein below:- "161. In the writ petitions filed at Sl. No. I, II, III, IV, VI, VIII and IX, the challenge is not only to 6 2020 SCC OnLine Kar 4995 - 26 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR the provisional order of attachment but also to the confirmation order of attachment, notice issued seeking information from the Banks and financial institutions, consequential notices issued to comply the confirmation order of attachment, consequential notice for handing over possession of the properties issued, summons issued under Section 50(3) and the remand application filed before the Special Judge of PMLA Court and as such on the short ground of the petitioners having not availed the remedy provided under Section 8, 26 and 42 of the PML Act, the writ petitions are liable to be dismissed. However, this court desist from doing so for the reason, the grounds urged in some of the writ petitions would touch upon the very jurisdiction of the authority to adjudicate and the procedural aspects alleging violation of principles of natural justice being involved and as such this court has proceeded to adjudicate the writ petitions on merits also. Hence, in the facts obtained in the present case Point No. (v) is answered in the negative." (emphasis supplied)

#45. Accordingly, noticing the contention regarding non-following of procedure prescribed under Second Proviso to Section 5 of PMLA being a jurisdictional issue, the entertainment of the writ petition would be on - 27 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR the same lines as made out in Dyani Antony Paul (supra).

#46. The challenge in the present writ petition is as regards the validity of the provisional attachment order dated 09.06.2025. The petitioner has specifically assailed the exercise of power vested in the Authority in terms of Second Proviso to Section 5 (1) of the PMLA.

#47. The relevant extract of the statutory provision is as follows:- "5. Attachment of property involved in money-laundering.— [(1)Where the Director or any other officer not below the rank of Deputy Director authorised by the Director for the purposes of this section, has reason to believe (the reason for such belief to be recorded in writing), on the basis of material in his possession, that— (a) any person is in possession of any proceeds of crime; and (b) such proceeds of crime are likely to be concealed, transferred or dealt with in any manner - 28 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR which may result in frustrating any proceedings relating to confiscation of such proceeds of crime under this Chapter, he may, by order in writing, provisionally attach such property for a period not exceeding one hundred and eighty days from the date of the order, in such manner as may be prescribed: Provided that no such order of attachment shall be made unless, in relation to the scheduled offence, a report has been forwarded to a Magistrate under section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), or a complaint has been filed by a person authorised to investigate the offence mentioned in that Schedule, before a Magistrate or court for taking cognizance of the scheduled offence, as the case may be, or a similar report or complaint has been made or filed under the corresponding law of any other country: Provided further that, notwithstanding anything contained in [first proviso], any property of any person may be attached under this section if the Director or any other officer not below the rank of Deputy Director authorised by him for the purposes of this section has reason to believe (the reasons for such belief to be recorded in writing), on the - 29 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR basis of material in his possession, that if such property involved in money-laundering is not attached immediately under this Chapter, the non-attachment of the property is likely to frustrate any proceeding under this Act.]. (emphasis supplied)

#48. Admittedly, present case, requirements of the First Proviso are not met insofar as no Final Report has been forwarded to the Magistrate as regards the predicate offence under Section 173 of Cr.P.C., as on the date of passing of the order of provisional attachment and such aspect is not controverted by the other side. However, the power to pass an order of provisional attachment is conferred upon an Officer of the rank of Director or any other Officer not below the rank of Deputy Director authorized by him for the purposes enumerated under Section 5, subject to fulfillment of the following criteria:- - 30 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR (i) Has reason to believe which is recorded in writing and on the basis of material in his possession. (ii) That, if such property involved in money laundering is not attached immediately, the non-attachment of property is likely to frustrate any proceedings under the Act.

#49. Undoubtedly, in the present case, it is power exercised under the Second Proviso to Section 5 (1) which is called in question.

#50. It is necessary to also note that the respondent has asserted at the time of arguments that Lokayukta Police were still investigating as regards the predicate offences against the other accused as on the date of passing of the provisional order of attachment. It was further submitted by the respondents though 'B' Report was filed against some of the accused, i.e. accused Nos.1 to 4, the pending investigation against the other accused as at the relevant point of time has in effect - 31 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR indicated the continuance of investigation and pending such investigation power under the Second Proviso to Section 5 of PMLA was sought to be initiated.

#51. The Second Proviso to Section 5 confers power and contains a non obstante clause and provides that notwithstanding the First Proviso, the competent Officer could attach property provided such officer has reason to believe on the basis of material in his possession that if such property involved in money laundering is not attached immediately the non-attachment of property is likely to frustrate under the PMLA.

#52. Insofar as the contention that the Authority has failed to adhere to the statutory mandate provided under the Second Proviso to Section 5, the matter requires consideration.

#53. As noticed above, there must be a written record of reason to believe on the basis of material that, if the property involved in money laundering is not attached, - 32 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR then such non-attachment of the property is likely to frustrate proceedings under the PMLA.

#54. A detailed perusal of the order of provisional attachment would reveal that the Authority no doubt has evaluated the evidence relating to commission of offence of money laundering, however, insofar as the requirement under the Second Proviso to Section 5(1) of PMLA as referred to supra, the finding recorded at para-9 of the provisional attachment order does not satisfy the legal requirement.

#55. The observations made at para-9 relating to the provisional attachment reads as follows: "9. I have reasons to believe that the proceeds of crime involved in the subject case as discussed in this PAO, if the said identified immovable properties are not attached under the Act immediately, the non-attachment of the properties are likely to frustrate any further proceedings under the Act. In addition, if the Proceeds of Crime which are involved in Money Laundering are not attached, I have reasons to - 33 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR believe that such Proceeds of Crime would further be laundered; that it will bear effect on the financial system and can break the economic backbone of the country and which will derail the Indian Economic Systems badly."

#56. Except para-9, there is no recording of any finding that the competent Officer has reason to believe on the basis of material in his possession that if property involved in money laundering is not attached immediately, such non-attachment would be likely to frustrate the proceedings under the PMLA.

#57. It is necessary that where the statute provides for exercise of power in a particular manner, power must be exercised strictly in accordance with such procedure or not at all. Such principle has consistently been followed and the observations of the Apex Court in Chief Information Commissioner and Another v. State of Manipur and Another7 reads as follows: 7 (2011) 15 SCC 1 - 34 - NC: 2026:KHC:25829 WP No. 28108 of 2025 HC-KAR "40. It is well known that when a procedure is laid down statutorily and there is no challenge to the said statutory procedure the Court should not, in the name of interpretation, lay down a procedure which is contrary to the express statutory provision. It is a time-honoured principle as early as from the decision in Taylor v. Taylor8 that where a statute provides for something to be done in a particular manner it can be done in that manner alone and all other modes of performance are necessarily forbidden. This principle has been followed by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Nazir Ahmad v. Emperor9 and also by this Court in Deep Chand v. State of Rajasthan10 , AIR at para 9 and also in State of U.P. v. Singhara Singh11 reported in AIR at para 8."

#58. There must be adherence to the procedure prescribed under the Second Proviso to Section 5 of PMLA. Any deviation from the procedure prescribed would vitiate the order of the provisional attachment without the petitioner having to prove any further.

Questions this judgment answers

What did the Court decide in this case?

The Court recorded the following disposition: Accordingly, the petition is disposed of

Which statutory provisions did this judgment involve?

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 — ss. 5, 5(1), 5(5), 8, 26; Constitution of India — arts. 226, 227; Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — s. 173; Indian Penal Code, 1860; Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 — ss. 9, 13; Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 — ss. 3, 53, 54.

Which court decided this case, and when?

Karnataka High Court, on 02 Jun 2026. The bench was S SUNIL DUTT YADAV.

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