The Delhi High Court sought the Status Report from Centre for Appointments of Chairperson & Members in Adjudicating Authority Under Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The Delhi High Court has Court had noticed, from the affidavit filed by the Ministry of Finance, that the quantum of work at the Adjudicating Authority under the PMLA is substantial, however there is an acute shortage of staff members and there are vacancies at the level of the Chairperson, Member (Administration) and Member (Law).

Further, it has also been noticed that the positions of the Administrative Officer, Registrar and the Court Master are all vacant as well.

Mr. Mahajan, CGSC, appearing for the Respondents submitted that a communication in respect of the said status has been received on 29th November 2021. The said communication dated 29th November, 2021 from the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue (ES Cell), giving the status of the various appointments which are to be made at the adjudicating authority, has been shown to the Court.

Recently, One of the Members of the Adjudicating Authority was appointed as its Chairperson, in this regard, a Selection Committee under the Chairmanship of RS met on 28.09.2021 and recommended one officer for the post of Chairperson in AA-PMLA. We have also taken the approval of the Finance Minister regarding appointment of the officer as Chairperson. File is to be submitted for ACC approval.

The single bench of Justice Prathiba M.Singh while listing the matter on 21st December, 2021 said that directed Centre for filling up the vacancy positions within a period of three months and sought status report to be filed in respect of the steps taken for appointments and filling up of vacancies, within a period of two months.