Chhagan Bhujbal and his family, from any charges under the money‑laundering law . In a significant development today, Justice R.N. Laddha set aside a 2021 special court order that had rejected Malpani’s plea for discharge, ruling there was no evidence that he either participated in or benefited from the alleged laundering related to the Maharashtra Sadan construction project .

The Enforcement Directorate had accused him of abetting sham transactions between 2012 and 2015, but the court noted Malpani wasn’t named in the chargesheet and his audit period did not encompass the earlier alleged proceeds dating back to 2007–08 . Malpani’s legal team highlighted that “an auditor is not supposed to function as an investigator”—a view Justice Laddha echoed, stating that mere lack of due diligence doesn’t amount to an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act .

Ultimately, the court concluded there was no proof of his involvement, wrongdoing, or financial benefit, and formally discharged him from the PMLA proceedings today .

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