Overview

• A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi declined to hear Bhupesh Baghel’s challenge to multiple PMLA provisions including Section 44.
• The court reaffirmed Section 44’s validity, stating that misuse of investigative powers rather than the statute itself is the core issue.
• Judges highlighted procedural checks such as mandatory clearance from special PMLA courts before supplementary ED investigations.
• The ED’s probe into an alleged ₹2,000-crore liquor racket in Chhattisgarh involving Baghel and his son continues, with recent arrests and party-led protests.
• Broader petitions questioning ED practices on disclosure of ECIRs, extended custody and low conviction rates await resolution by a reconstituted Supreme Court bench.