WinZo Co-Founders Face Split Bail Outcome in ED’s PMLA Probe

Bengaluru Sessions Court Grants Bail to WinZo Co-Founder Saumya Rathore, Denies Bail to Paavan Nanda in ED PMLA Case

The case arose from ED proceedings after the co-founders were arrested in November 2025 following multi-state searches based on FIR-linked predicate offences.

The Court held that Saumya Rathore is covered under Section 45(1)(ii) PMLA, which exempts a woman-accused from the twin bail conditions. She was ordered to be released on a ₹5-lakh bond with two sureties, surrender her passport, and cooperate with the probe.

The Court ruled Paavan Nanda did not meet the threshold for bail and allowed ED custody for 4 days, while ensuring protection from ill-treatment and granting daily access to counsel.

[Enforcement Directorate v. Saumya Singh Rathore & Paavan Nanda]