In November 2017, the top court had struck down Section 45(1) of the PMLA to the extent it imposed the two additional conditions for grant of bail to money-laundering accused.

The provision was revived later by the Centre after it made certain amendments to the PMLA.

Pertinently, the 2017 decision of the top court was overruled in July 2022 by a Bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and CT Ravikumar in the case of Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India.

The 2022 ruling invited vehement criticism and led to several review applications being filed.

Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman had in March last year termed the decision very unfortunate.

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) UU Lalit had also endorsed the same view and opined that in Indian criminal jurisprudence, the principle is not guilty until proven to be innocent.

The Supreme Court in August 2022 issued notice to the Central government in review plea filed by Congress leader Karti Chidambaram challenging the Vijay Madanlal ruling.

Supreme Court orders halt on tree felling in forest ridge near Delhi University

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