In a significant decision, the Apex Court reminded the elite investigation agency, Enforcement Directorate (ED) that it has enough powers to call “anybody for any information”.
Reprimanding the Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officers for not appearing before ED and they sought more time to collect the information asked by the central agency about the sand mining in their respecting districts. Even though the officers show the reason as the Lok Sabha elections, the Hon’ble Supreme Court said that they have no respect to law, court and constitution.
This is considered as important development, as the agency is handling the cases pertaining to anti-money laundering. The Court refused to accept the Collector’s plea saying that “this court had passed orders on February 27.
At one point, when Kapil Sibal representing the IAS officers said, These officers are neither witnesses nor accused… Can the ED call anybody like this. The court replied saying ‘yes’.
The court further added saying, that the sub Section (2) of Section 50 of PML Act authorised ED to summon “any person” whose attendance is necessary in the course of investigation.
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