Bengal: Special PMLA court restores properties to legitimate claimants
Kolkata, June 17 (IANS) In a significant step towards restoration of the Proceeds of Crime (PoC) to rightful claimants, the Special Court (PMLA) has ordered restitution of Rs 3.05 crore to M/s Eko Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd. and Rs 23.63 lakh to M/s Prognosys Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd., both victims of money laundering.
According to a statement issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the order was issued in a case under investigation against Budhaditya Chattopadhyay and others.
The ED initiated an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, based on an FIR registered by the Electronic Complex Police Station in Bidhannagar, Kolkata, against Budhaditya Chattopadhyay, Swaroop Ghosh and others for offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and forgery.
It is alleged that the accused defrauded M/s Prognosys Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd. of approximately Rs 26.15 crore by falsely claiming influence with the West Bengal Health Department and collecting funds in the name of tender-related earnest money through a bank account maintained in the name of “ACWBHFW Services.”
The funds were siphoned off to various entities and personal accounts of the accused and family members. Another FIR was registered at Anandapur Police Station against the same person for similar fraudulent activities, which was also taken into consideration.
ED investigation revealed that the accused generated and layered PoC through multiple accounts and entities, using them to purchase immovable properties and investments.
Searches were conducted, amounts in linked bank accounts were frozen, and immovable properties acquired out of PoC were attached.
“ED filed Prosecution Complaint being M.L. Case No. 03 of 2024 before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA) under Section 45 of the PMLA. Charges were framed against the principal accused, Budhaditya Chattopadhyay, on 22 September 2025,” the statement said.
Considering the intent of PMLA to restore PoC to legitimate claimants, the ED submitted no objection before the Special Court for the release of attached, seized, or frozen properties to the victims.
Based on this submission, the Court ordered restitution of the properties.
–IANS
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