The Supreme Court of India intervened and stayed a money laundering case pending before a special court in Kerala - the case of the widely known "lottery king" Santiago Martin. The case was being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) ) review.
Martin, who had previously made headlines for his large donations to South Asian political parties through the now-defunct electoral bonds scheme, is once again embroiled in legal trouble. Faced with the Kerala court's decision to proceed with the trial despite pending matters, Martin petitioned the Supreme Court to reconsider the continuance of the trial.
Legal tug of war: Supreme Court deliberations
According to a report in India Today, a bench of Justices Abhai S Oka and Ujjar Buian issued a stay order on the proceedings and summoned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for further proceedings. program. The court emphasized the need for a thorough review of the case before proceeding and set the next hearing on July 12.
“We have made it clear that even if indicted, the trial in the money laundering case will not commence before further orders are issued,” the court stressed during the hearing.
Legal Precedents and Defense Strategies
The report also stated that Martin’s legal team is led by senior attorney Aditya Sandy. Citing legal precedents, they argued that the PMLA proceedings should wait for the conclusion of the main case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Sandy pointed to a Supreme Court ruling from 2022 that emphasized that PMLA lawsuits must be consistent with the outcome of the original case.
A complex legal environment: the interplay between cases
This convoluted legal saga unfolds against the backdrop of the 2014 lottery scandal. Initially investigated by the CBI, the case led to charges against Martin and others. ED subsequently filed a money laundering complaint in 2018, triggering an ongoing legal battle.
Legal limbo: Pending exemption applications
Martin’s claim and the pending discharge application before the Special Court highlight the interdependence of the legal proceedings.
