The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Amit Kumar Agarwal, who had been behind bars for over two and a half years in a money laundering case registered by the Directorate of Enforcement. The bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh delivered the verdict on 1st August 2025.
Background of the Case
Amit Kumar Agarwal was accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The case stemmed from ECIR Case No. 01 of 2023, originating from ECIR/RNZO/18/2022 dated 21.10.2022. This ECIR was linked to Bariatu Police Station Case No. 141 of 2022.
He was booked under:
- Section 3 read with Section 70, and
- Punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA.
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The Supreme Court acknowledged that although the trial had begun, it was likely to take a long time to conclude. The prolonged detention of the appellant was a crucial factor in the Court’s decision.
“Admittedly, the appellant has been under incarceration for 2½ years. From the records, we gather that the trial would take considerable length of time, though it has been commenced.”
Considering the lengthy pre-trial detention and slow pace of proceedings, the Court allowed the appeal and set aside the impugned High Court order, thereby granting bail.
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“Accordingly, the impugned order stands set aside and the appellant is granted bail, subject to the terms and conditions that may be imposed by the Trial Court.”
The appeal in question arose from the Jharkhand High Court's decision in BA No. 10272/2024, which had earlier denied bail to Amit Kumar Agarwal. The Supreme Court's ruling effectively overturned that decision.
- Appeal allowed
- Bail granted
- Conditions to be decided by Trial Court
- All pending applications disposed of
This judgment was passed in SLP (Crl.) No. 7799/2025, officially recorded under Criminal Appeal No.--- of 2025.
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“The impugned order stands set aside and the appellant is granted bail, subject to the terms and conditions that may be imposed by the Trial Court.”
Case Name: Amit Kumar Agarwal vs. Directorate of Enforcement
Appeal Number: Criminal Appeal No. ---of 2025
(@ Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No. 7799 of 2025
Order Date: 1st August, 2025
Advocates for Appellant (Amit Kumar Agarwal):
- Mr. S. Nagamuthu, Senior Advocate
- Mr. Sanjeev Sahay, Advocate
- Mr. Abhishek Agarwal, Advocate
- Mr. Shreyas Kaushal, Advocate
- Ms. Shagufa Salim, AOR
Advocates for Respondent (Directorate of Enforcement):
- Mr. Suryaprakash V. Raju, ASG
- Mr. Zoheb Hussain, Advocate
- Mr. Annam Venkatesh, Advocate
- Mr. Samrat Goswami, Advocate
- Mr. Animesh Upadhyay, Advocate
- Mr. Arvind Kumar Sharma, AOR, and team