In exercise of the powers conferred by sub section 1 of section 43 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act

Okay, I'm ready to analyze the provided policy text and generate the report. Here's the report: **Report on Amendment to Notification Regarding Special Courts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002** **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to a notification (S.O. 372E) originally issued on February 5, 2016, regarding the designation of Courts of Session as Special Courts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The amendment, issued on January 19, 2021 (S.O. 472E), modifies the designated courts and their areas of jurisdiction within the state of Odisha. Specifically, it clarifies the jurisdiction of the Court of Sessions, Khurda at Bhubaneswar and introduces the Court of Special Judge (CBI), Bhubaneswar, also with jurisdiction over the entire State of Odisha. This amendment appears to streamline and potentially broaden the handling of PMLA cases in Odisha. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the amendment to Notification S.O. 372E, dated February 5, 2016, concerning Special Courts designated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the amendment notification (S.O. 472E) issued on January 19, 2021. **3. Policy Overview:** This document is an *amendment* to the original notification S.O. 372E, dated February 5, 2016. The core objective of the *original* policy (inferred from the amendment's context) is to designate specific Courts of Session as Special Courts for the trial of offenses punishable under Section 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, thereby facilitating the prosecution of money laundering cases. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment likely aims to refine the allocation of cases under the PMLA within Odisha. The amendment likely seeks to clarify which court has jurisdiction over which cases, which could address potential ambiguity or inefficiency in the original designation. The creation of a special court for CBI cases suggests a need for specialized handling of cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This amendment *specifically* changes serial number 20 in the table of the original notification (S.O. 372E). * **What is being changed:** The designation of the Court of Session for Odisha and the specified area for trial of offenses under Section 4 of the PMLA. * **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment *replaces* the original entry for Odisha with the following: * The Court of Sessions, Khurda at Bhubaneswar, will have jurisdiction over the entire State of Odisha. * The Court of Special Judge (CBI), Bhubaneswar, will also have jurisdiction over the entire State of Odisha. * **Difference/Effect:** The key change is the addition of a *second* designated court for the entire State of Odisha: The Court of Special Judge (CBI), Bhubaneswar. This implies a division of labor, where the Court of Special Judge (CBI) will likely handle cases investigated by the CBI. The Court of Sessions, Khurda at Bhubaneswar will continue to handle all other PMLA cases. This may result in a more efficient and specialized handling of PMLA cases within Odisha. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The target audience and stakeholders most directly affected by this amendment include: * Courts in Odisha, specifically the Court of Sessions, Khurda at Bhubaneswar and the Court of Special Judge (CBI), Bhubaneswar. * The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), particularly its branch in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. * Individuals and entities accused of money laundering offenses in Odisha. * Legal professionals practicing in Odisha, particularly those specializing in PMLA cases. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** * The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, is responsible for issuing the notification. * The High Court of Odisha, Cuttack, was consulted in the decision-making process. * The designated Courts of Session and the Court of Special Judge (CBI) are responsible for implementing the changes by assuming jurisdiction over the specified PMLA cases. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment is effective immediately upon publication in the Gazette of India. No specific timelines or procedures are outlined in the text, but it is implied that the relevant courts will need to adjust their case handling procedures accordingly. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of these changes is: * **Specialized Handling of CBI Cases:** The creation of a designated court for CBI cases should lead to more efficient prosecution of these specific cases. * **Improved Efficiency:** The clarification of jurisdiction may reduce ambiguity and streamline the case allocation process. * **Potentially Faster Resolution of Cases:** By distributing the workload and providing specialized handling, the amendment may contribute to a faster resolution of PMLA cases in Odisha. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to Notification S.O. 372E signifies a refinement in the designation of Special Courts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, within the state of Odisha. The designation of the Court of Special Judge (CBI), Bhubaneswar, alongside the existing Court of Sessions, Khurda at Bhubaneswar, suggests a strategy for more specialized and efficient handling of PMLA cases, particularly those investigated by the CBI. This amendment is a significant step towards strengthening the enforcement of anti-money laundering laws in the region.

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