The Supreme Court intervened in the ongoing legal proceedings concerning Santiago Martin, known as the 'lottery king', by issuing a stay order on the proceedings before a special court in a money laundering case against him. The case revolves around Martin's company, which made significant donations to political parties through the electoral bonds scheme.
Martin had challenged the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court's decision, which had dismissed his plea to defer the trial in the money laundering case until the conclusion of the main case involving an alleged lottery scam registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The plea argued that under the law, the trial in the PMLA case should commence only after the conclusion of the trial in the predicate (main) case, as per a Supreme Court verdict in the Vijay Madanlal Chaudhary case. Martin's legal team contended that if he is acquitted or discharged in the predicate case, the PMLA proceedings would not continue.
Furthermore, the plea highlighted that the CBI case, considered the predicate case, had been transferred to the Special Court, and Martin had filed a discharge application in that case, which is pending consideration. Martin urged the apex court to prioritize the trial of the predicate case over the PMLA proceedings in case of acquittal or discharge.
Martin argued that continuing the PMLA proceedings without awaiting the outcome of the predicate case would cause him irreparable harm. The Supreme Court was also informed about the striking down of the electoral bonds scheme in February, which had provided anonymity to donors, including Martin's company.
The legal battle reflects Martin's efforts to ensure fair proceedings and protect his interests amidst the complex legal landscape surrounding the alleged money laundering case and electoral bond controversies.
