SC stays PMLA trial against ‘lottery king’ Santiago Martin

His company was a major donor to political parties through the nowdefunct electoral bonds scheme; top court issues notice to the Enforcement Directorate on a petition filed by Martin

We are informed that the complaint under PMLA is fixed for April 16 before special court for hearing. The trial will not commence in PMLA cases till further orders SC BENCH

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the trial, in a special court in Kerala, in a money laundering case prosecuted by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) against ‘lottery king’ Santiago Martin, whose company was a major donor to political parties through the nowdefunct electoral bonds scheme.

“We are informed that the complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act [PMLA] has been fixed for April 16, 2024 before the special court for hearing on charge. We make it clear that even if the charge is framed, the trial will not commence in PMLA cases till further orders,” a Bench of Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan directed.

The top court issued notice to the ED on a petition filed by Mr. Martin, represented by senior advocate Aditya Sondhi and advocate Rohini Musa, that the money laundering case against him should be discontinued till the final disposal of the predicate case lodged by the CBI in connection with the alleged loss caused to the Sikkim government through the fraudulent sale of State lottery in Kerala. He said an application for his discharge in the predicate case was pending.

The petition argued that an acquittal in the predicate case would automatically result in the noncontinuance of proceedings under the PMLA. “Therefore, in the sequence of trial, the trial of the predicate case ought to be given precedence,” the petition contended.

The PMLA court, on March 16, had rejected his plea to stay the trial, saying both cases were independent and separate.

The Supreme Court posted the case for further hearing on July 12.