Retention of records
Section 21 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 deals with retention of records. Where any records have been seized, under section 17 or section 18 or frozen under sub-section (1A) of section 17 and the Investigating Officer or any other officer authorised by the Director in this behalf has reason to believe that any of such records are required to be retained for any inquiry un The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2005.
1[21. Retention of records.--(1) Where any records have been seized, under section 17 or section 18 or frozen under sub-section (1A) of section 17 and the Investigating Officer or any other officer authorised by the Director in this behalf has reason to believe that any of such records are required to be retained for any inquiry under this Act, such records may if seized, be retained or if frozen, may continue to remain frozen, for a period not exceeding one hundred and eighty days from the day on which such records were seized or frozen, as the case may be.
(2) The person, from whom records seized or frozen, shall be entitled to obtain copies of records.
(3) On the expiry of the period specified under sub-section (1), the records shall be returned to the person from whom such records were seized or whose records were ordered to be frozen unless the Adjudicating Authority permits retention or continuation of freezing of such records beyond the said period.
(4) The Adjudicating Authority, before authorising the retention or continuation of freezing of such records beyond the period specified in sub-section (1), shall satisfy himself that the records are required for the purposes of adjudication under section 8.
(5) After passing of an order of confiscation 2[or release under sub-section (5) or sub-section (6) or sub-section (7) of section 8 or section 58B or sub-section (2A) of section 60], the Adjudicating Authority shall direct the release of the records to the person from whom such records were seized.
(6) Where an order releasing the records has been made by the Court 3 [Adjudicating Authority under sub-section (5) of section 21], the Director or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf may withhold the release of any such record for a period of ninety days from the date of 4[receipt of] such order, if he is of the opinion that such record is relevant for the appeal proceedings under this Act.]
Section 21, The Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 (Act 15 of 2003).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument states that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.
Questions about Section 21
What does Section 21 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act deal with?
Section 21 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act is headed "Retention of records". [21. Retention of records.--(1) Where any records have been seized, under section 17 or section 18 or frozen under sub-section (1A) of section 17 and the Investigating Officer or any other officer authorised by the Director in this behalf has reason to believe that any of such records are required t
How do I find court cases under Section 21 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Pmla 21, section 21 Pmla, section 21 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act. People searching for it also type 21 pmla. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 21 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 8 (Adjudication), section 17 (Search and seizure), section 18 (Search of persons), section 58B (Letter of request of a contracting State or authority for confiscation or release the property), and on 1 further provision, so none of them can safely be read on its own. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there is one: most recently Notification appointing Director of Enforcement (2005).
When did Section 21 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act come into force?
Section 21 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, cited as Pmla 21, came into force on 01 Jul 2005, having been enacted on 17 Jan 2003. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions1773 words
- 8. Adjudication975 words
- 6. Adjudicating Authorities, composition, powers, etc781 words
- 73. Power to make rules704 words
- 17. Search and seizure570 words
- 5. Attachment of property involved in money-laundering570 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.