New Delhi, July 22:
The Supreme Court of India has strongly criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over its conduct in recent cases. Chief Justice BR Gavai made serious remarks on Monday, expressing concern over the agency’s overreach and alleged political misuse.
During the hearing of two cases, the Supreme Court questioned the ED’s growing interference in matters that may have political undertones. The bench, led by Chief Justice Gavai, noted that the ED appears to be crossing legal boundaries and warned officials not to become pawns in political battles.
“Don’t force us to make harsher statements about your actions,” the Chief Justice cautioned the ED.
The court stressed the urgent need for a clear set of guidelines to regulate the ED’s powers and prevent misuse. It emphasized that the agency must function within constitutional limits, especially in politically sensitive investigations.
“ED is Not Above the Law” — Supreme Court’s Bold Stand
The top court observed that enforcement authorities must act impartially and avoid being drawn into political vendettas. Justice Gavai added that unchecked powers could erode public trust in legal institutions.
This landmark observation is being seen as a major blow to the perception that the ED operates with unchecked authority, especially under politically sensitive regimes.
Madras High Court Echoes Concerns
On a parallel note, the Madras High Court also came down heavily on the ED’s functioning. It clarified that the ED is not a “super police” force and cannot act like drones swooping into every alleged crime.
The High Court added that not every financial or criminal case warrants ED’s involvement. “The agency must understand its scope and limit its intervention to cases that truly fall under its jurisdiction,” the court remarked.
Rising Political Concerns Over ED’s Conduct
Opposition parties have frequently accused the central government of using the ED as a political weapon. Today’s observations by both the Supreme Court and the Madras High Court seem to validate those concerns, sparking fresh debate across the nation.
Legal experts have called this a turning point in the discussion about how investigative agencies function in India’s democracy. If the Supreme Court lays down new guidelines as suggested, it could drastically change how such agencies operate in the future.
Key Highlights:
- Chief Justice BR Gavai made strong remarks against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) while hearing two important cases.
- The Supreme Court accused ED of being misused for political gains, warning officials not to act as tools in political battles.
- Justice Gavai cautioned ED: “Don’t push us to speak more harshly about your conduct.”
- The court observed that ED officers are exceeding their legal boundaries and emphasized the need for regulatory guidelines.
- Madras High Court also criticized ED, stating: “The ED is not a super police force. It can’t storm into every crime scene like a drone.”
- Both courts agreed that ED’s increasing interference in various cases is concerning and could damage democratic integrity.