Authority: High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru
Order Date: 30 September 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: JSW Steel Ltd (represented by Mani Manuel, Vice President) filed writ petitions (WP 9583/2025 and WP 8943/2025) under Articles 226 & 227 of the Constitution, challenging the common order dated 30.01.2025 of the Appellate Tribunal (PMLA) confirming a provisional attachment of bank accounts.
- Respondent: Deputy Director, Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ministry of Finance.
- The dispute stems from CBI investigations into alleged illegal mining and money‑laundering involving G. Janardhana Reddy, G. Lakshmi Aruna and Associated Mining Company, leading to a provisional attachment of Rs 24.37 crore in JSW Steel’s accounts and a claim of Rs 33.80 crore as proceeds of crime.
- The Appellate Tribunal had not remanded the matter to the Adjudicating Authority despite JSW Steel’s claim that its written submissions and synopsis were ignored.
- Counsel for JSW Steel argued violation of natural justice; ED counsel contended the petitions were premature and non‑maintainable.
Final Outcome
- The Court held the writ petitions non‑maintainable, emphasizing that appeals before the Appellate Tribunal are pending and that the petitioner had been afforded a fair opportunity to present its case.
- It observed that the Adjudicating Authority had considered the submissions, and no prejudice to the petitioner was shown.
- Accordingly, the writ petitions were dismissed without costs; any pending applications were also disposed of.
Topics: PMLA Enforcement, Natural Justice