Mohali PMLA court rules that seized cheques and narcotics qualify as property under money-laundering law

In a landmark judgment, a special PMLA court in Mohali broadened the legal interpretation of "property" to include seized bank cheques that have not been cashed, as well as narcotics, deeming them proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This move aligns with the government's drug-free India campaign, which aims to confiscate assets linked to drug trafficking. The Enforcement Directorate's recent raids have focused on networks dealing in methamphetamine, marijuana and MDMA, with over twenty foreign nationals identified as persons of interest.

Officials indicated that the expanded definition will aid in tracking the monetary trails generated by such illicit activities. The court also sentenced two accused individuals to three years of rigorous imprisonment. The ruling signals a tougher stance on financial aspects of drug offenses across the country.