The Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002

In one line

What this Act says

Targets the proceeds of crime — lets the Enforcement Directorate attach property, prosecute laundering, and seek confiscation to the Government.

• Money-laundering (general)

  §4

  Rigorous imprisonment 3 – 7 years + fine.

• Money-laundering involving narcotics (NDPS scheduled offence)

  §4 proviso

  Rigorous imprisonment 3 – 10 years + fine.

• Property involved in laundering

  §5, §8

  Provisional attachment up to 180 days → confirmation by Adjudicating Authority → confiscation to Central Government on conviction.

• False information / failure to give information by reporting entity

  §13

  Fine ₹10,000 – ₹1 lakh per failure.

Headline offences only — not exhaustive. For the full text and every section, open the source PDF or the official link below.

Maximum punishments as prescribed by the Act. Actual sentencing depends on facts, prior convictions and judicial discretion.

Sources

Read the Act yourself

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