In a first in Punjab, accused in ED case convicted on money laundering charges

The ED in Jalandhar launched an investigation into this matter based on an FIR registered at Sadar police station in Amritsar district on April 25, 2008. The FIR against Singh and others was filed under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and the Arms Act, 1959.

Following this, the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) on October 21, 2009, and the statement of the accused was recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA Act. Singh allegedly admitted that he was involved in smuggling heroin since December 2007, that he had already sold 3 kg of the drug and that 15 kg of heroin was with him.

ED Assistant Director J P Singh’s investigation revealed that Singh invested the proceeds of crime generated from the drug trade in immovable properties. Subsequently, these properties were attached by the ED. Following the investigation, ED Jalandhar filed a prosecution complaint in 2017 under provisions of the PMLA.

The court noted that from the evidence, it was clear that the convict, while dealing in the smuggling of heroin, was “enriching himself” and had purchased immovable property from the proceeds of crime. No leniency can be shown to people who indulge in smuggling narcotics and then purchase immovable property from the proceeds of the crime, the court mentioned.

In August 2011, Singh was convicted by a special court in Amritsar in a case related to the recovery of 15 kg of heroin.