---
title: "Provisional Attachment of Property under PMLA — Definition"
description: "Provisional attachment under PMLA allows the ED to freeze suspected proceeds of crime for up to 180 days, crucial for legal proceedings."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/attachment-of-property-pmla"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Provisional attachment under PMLA is an Enforcement Directorate order temporarily freezing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, valid for up to 180 days pending adjudication.
- How long does a provisional attachment order under PMLA remain valid?
- Who can issue a provisional attachment order, and on what basis?
- What is the difference between provisional attachment and confiscation under PMLA?
- Can attached property be released if the predicate offence fails?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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## Timeline

1. 1 July 2005

   Its legal basis is Section 5 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002, which came into force on .

2. 27 July 2022

   Union of India\* (), the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the attachment regime and the ED's wide procedural authority, while noting safegu…

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In November 2023, India's Enforcement Directorate issued provisional attachment orders covering assets of Associated Journals Limited and Young Indian in the National Herald money-laundering case.

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