The Enforcement Directorate has escalated its financial investigation into a global narcotics network operating across dark web marketplaces. The PMLA Special Court in Dehradun has formally taken cognizance of the charge sheets filed against key accused Banmeet Singh and his wife, Amarpreet Kaur Chawla, issuing summons directing both individuals to appear on August 7. The syndicate stands accused of executing multi-million dollar illegal drug transactions, converting illicit profits into cryptocurrency, and integrating those funds into the Indian domestic financial system.
Initiated after intelligence shared by US federal agencies, the probe focuses on the operations of the “Singh Organisation”—an international syndicate operated by Banmeet Singh and his brother Parvinder Singh using pseudonymous online identities. Operating through dark web platforms under the moniker “Liston,” the network distributed controlled substances across all 50 US states and several international jurisdictions.
Illicit Capital Accumulation and Domestic Asset Integration
According to central investigative findings, the enterprise amassed more than 8,088 Bitcoins through illegal dark web sales. Between 2012 and 2017, foreign inward remittances exceeding ₹10.82 crore were funneled into Indian bank accounts held by the accused and their immediate family members. ED officials noted that neither Singh nor Chawla could demonstrate any legitimate source of income to justify these foreign transfers, indicating that the funds were routed through multiple layers of accounts to obscure their criminal origin.
Financial investigators further allege that Amarpreet Kaur Chawla played a pivotal role in concealing these proceeds of crime. Illicit capital was systematically deployed into fixed deposits and used to acquire high-value real estate, including property in Greater Kailash, New Delhi. To date, the Enforcement Directorate has attached movable and immovable assets valued at ₹29.67 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
PMLA Court Overrules Double Jeopardy Claims
During court proceedings, defense counsel contended that because Banmeet Singh had already entered a guilty plea and served a prison sentence in the United States, further prosecution in India constituted double prosecution under international treaties. The defense argued that charging him again under Indian anti-money laundering frameworks violated protections against double jeopardy.
The PMLA Special Court rejected the argument, ruling that money laundering under Indian law represents a distinct and independent offense. The court affirmed that whenever proceeds derived from foreign criminal activity are laundered, moved, or invested within Indian jurisdiction, local law enforcement retains independent authority to prosecute and confiscate those illicit assets. A conviction abroad does not grant immunity from Indian anti-money laundering laws if the underlying proceeds of crime are brought into or integrated within India’s financial system.
