top of page

Book Launch:
The PMLA Evolution  
April 5, 2025

On April 5th, 2025, I had the honor of launching my book, The PMLA Evolution: Judgments that Transformed the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, at an event that was both humbling and unforgettable.

​

The launch was graced by legal luminaries including Hon’ble Justice Shri Ranjit More, Hon’ble Justice Shri Swatanter Kumar (Retd. Judge, Supreme Court of India), Shri Hiten Venegaonkar (Chief Public Prosecutor and Special Counsel for CBI & ED), and Shri Pranav Badheka, Senior Counsel and my mentor. Sharing the stage with such stalwarts was a moment of immense pride.

The presence of senior counsels, peers, friends, and family made the occasion truly special.

​

This book is the result of years of legal thought, courtroom experience, and close study of the evolving jurisprudence under the PMLA. It compiles key judgments and offers practical, accessible insights into one of India’s most complex laws.

PMLA Evolution: Judgments that transformed the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002

Authored by Sunny Punamiya

Summary

The Book decodes, simplifies and explains the ten judicial pronouncements of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, which were passed after the landmark judgment  in the case of Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India. The Book extensively covers but at the same simplifies ten Judgments that have revolutionised the law surrounding Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 20021 especially in the context of Arrest, Remand and Bail.  

​

The Books captures important judgments passed after Vijay Madanlal Choudhary’s Case. The Law developed after Vijay Madanlal Choudhary’s case has included in it’s ambit the rights of the Accused, which prior to the same were some what alienated and not liberal. There has been nothing short of revolution in the law  surrounding PMLA in context of Arrest of Accused post-Vijay Madanlal Choudhary’s era. The Book simplifies the language and complex expression and terms to ensure  that reader is able to grasp the nuances of the complex procedure and law surrounding PMLA. 

​

The Book simplifies the law surrounding Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The provision of the Act are complex in reading and understanding. No lay-man  or a young lawyer will be able to grasp in the first-go. Since the provision itself is  complex, the judgments passed under the Act are also extremely nuanced, technical and difficult to understand. 

​

In this book, I’ve broken down the essential components of each judgment, including: 

• Prosecution’s Arguments: What the prosecution contended and how they  applied provisions of PMLA  

• Defence’s Arguments: The counterpoints made by the Defense, focusing on  their interpretation of the law. 

• Questions Before the Court: The critical legal questions the Hon’ble Court  addressed in each case. 

• The Court’s Final Decision: A simplified version of the final ruling, with insights  into how the Court arrived at its conclusion. 

​

By structuring each chapter in this way, the reader will gain a clear understanding of  the background of each case, the key arguments, and the reasoning that shaped the Learned Court’s decision. Moreover, the nuances of PMLA are brought out through the careful examination of the arguments made by Senior counsels, offering a window  into the decision-making process.

Key Features of the Book 

Key Takeaways for Quick Reference 

To enhance understanding, I’ve included a “Key Takeaways” section in an FAQ format at the end of each chapter. This section provides a concise overview of the  central issues discussed and the key points of law decided in each case. It serves as  a quick reference, allowing readers to grasp the most important aspects of the judgment at a glance. 

​

A Chapter-by-Chapter Journey 

Each chapter of this book focuses on a separate judgment, and as you move from one to the next, you’ll find that every case is interconnected. The courts have expanded  the meaning, scope, and implications of the terms used in PMLA with each passing  judgment, often referencing previous rulings. This continuous thread weaves the judgments together, creating a clear and logical progression in the interpretation of PMLA. 

​

My goal was to make this book read like a story -a journey through the evolution of PMLA law - while still providing the technical analysis that legal professionals, students, and lay readers alike can appreciate. 

Some of the Chapters in the Book 

Untitled design (6).png

  • Chapter 1: The Legal Rollercoaster in Y. Senthil Balaji’s Case

  • Chapter 2: The “How” of Article 22 of Constitution: Determining the manner of communicating the ‘Grounds of Arrest’ in Pankaj Bansal’s case 

  • Chapter 7: Upholding the Arrest of Arvind Kejriwal: “Reasons to Believe” & Limits of Relief 

  • Chapter 7A: Arrest as a Last Resort: The Arvind Kejriwal’s Case and the evolving Landscape of PMLA Arrests

  • Chapter 10: The Inter-section of legal principles in Hemant Soren’s Case

bottom of page