The Karnataka High Court upheld the Enforcement Directorate's authority to investigate and file an FIR under UAPA, rejecting the plea to quash the proceedings.
Karnataka HC Refuses to Quash UAPA FIR Against ₹100 Crore Funding Network
The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a plea seeking to quash a First Information Report (FIR) lodged against alleged involvement in a ₹100 crore cross-border debit card funding network. The court affirmed the Enforcement Directorate's authority to initiate inquiries under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The bench stated that the Enforcement Directorate acted within its statutory powers, particularly under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which allows communication of intelligence to state authorities for FIR registration. This ruling broadens the scope of investigative reach regarding financial crime intricacies involving multiple statutes.
Legal practitioners must stay abreast of the implications of this ruling, particularly in cases involving inter-agency cooperation on financial crimes, to ensure compliance and adequate defense strategies for clients facing similar investigations.
Citations
- UAPA FIR Case (2026) Karnataka HC
