In a major development, a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court on Friday rejected the bail plea of Vijay Machinder, a 53-year-old builder and director of Ornate Spaces, accused in a Rupees 4 billion money-laundering case. Special Judge A.C. Daga observed that the appointment of a new developer by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to address stakeholder claims does not absolve Machinder of alleged offences. “Considering the material placed by the prosecution, it appears that the accused is prima facie involved in acts of cheating, forgery, and generating proceeds of crime. The accused distributed and layered the proceeds of crime,” the judge stated. Allegations of Financial Fraud Machinder was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 3, 2024, based on a complaint from an investor who alleged that seven of 14 flats booked in Grove Tower, Oshiwara, were sold to multiple buyers. The project, intended as a free-sale component for UTI employees, allegedly involved significant financial irregularities. The ED claims that Machinder misused Rupees 4.5 billion in loans from Punjab National Bank and other financial institutions, along with Rupees 700 million raised by selling approximately 70,000 sq. ft. to 34 purchasers. Facing a financial crisis, he allegedly sought assistance from the Dawood gang to recover allotment letters for Grove Tower flats. Court’s Observations The court noted that Machinder promised 152 flats to UTI Employees Sai Samruddhi CHS but violated agreements by forging documents, misappropriating funds, and diverting investments. This resulted in significant financial losses for flat buyers and banks. The defense argued that the involvement of the NCLT-appointed Insolvency Resolution Process (IRP) and a new developer mitigated the gravity of the alleged offences. However, the court dismissed this claim, emphasizing the magnitude of financial fraud and the accused's central role in generating and layering the proceeds of crime. Prosecution’s Case Special Public Prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves called Machinder the mastermind of the operation, accusing him of orchestrating a scheme to siphon off funds. The court also dismissed the defense's argument about duplicate flat sales, citing evidence of development rights misuse and liability accumulation. Machinder remains in custody, with the court underscoring the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing investigation into the Rupees 4 billion scandal.