Supreme Court Grants Bail To Shiv Sena (UBT) Member Sadanand Kadam In Money Laundering Case

The Supreme Court on Monday (February 12) granted bail to Sadanand Kadam, a close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab, accused in a money laundering case in connection with the construction of an allegedly illegal resort named 'Sai Resort' in Dapoli, situated in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district.

Kadam was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement on 10th March 2023 in connection with the offence punishable under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 (for short, “the PMLA”). He approached the High Court after his bail application was rejected by the Special PMLA Court in October.

"A reading of the PMLA complaint would clearly go to show the allegations are that the subject property is derived or obtained, directly or indirectly, by the applicant as a result of criminal activity relating to a scheduled offence. Further, in my opinion, prima facie, the applicant can be said to have directly or indirectly attempted to indulge or knowingly assisted or is knowingly a party or actually involved in process or activity connected with proceeds of crime and projected it as untainted property.", the High Court observed while declining bail to Kadam.

Against the impugned order of the High Court, Kadam preferred a plea before the Supreme Court seeking bail.

After hearing counsel for the parties, the Bench Comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan decided to grant bail to Kadam.

“..we find that the appellant is entitled to be enlarged on bail in accordance with Section 45(1)(ii) of the PMLA on appropriate terms and conditions, till the disposal of the complaint case filed by the first respondent/Directorate of Enforcement under the PMLA. In view of the fair stand taken by the learned ASG, we are not recording detailed reasons.”

Accordingly, the court directed the ED to produce Kadam before the Special Court within a period of one week from today. Thereon, the Special Court shall enlarge the appellant on bail on appropriate terms and conditions, till the trial of the complaint case concludes.

"For that purpose, we direct that the appellant shall be produced before the Special Court within a period of one week from today. The Special Court shall enlarge the appellant on bail on appropriate terms and conditions, till the trial of the complaint case concludes."

Case Details:

SADANAND GANGARAM KADAM VERSUS DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT & ANR.

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO(S).815 OF 2024

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