Following the Supreme Court’s judgement upholding Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) powers in money laundering cases, Congress said there are chances that the “political usage” of ED by the Centre will increase after this judgement.
Meanwhile, the BJP lauded the top court’s order saying it validates the stand of the government on the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
The Supreme Court today said the supply of a copy of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in every case to the person concerned is “not mandatory” and it is enough if the ED discloses the grounds of arrest while arresting an accused.
Reacting to this, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said, “Supreme Court judgement on PMLA and rights of ED is disappointing and worrying.”
“The atmosphere of dictatorship that is prevalent in the country in past few years, after this judgment the chances of an increase in political usage of ED by the Central Govt will increase,” he added.
Former Law minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid said, “PMLA is not needed in the way it’s being used. We condemn the misuse of PMLA. They (ED) are showing their incompetence by doing 5 minutes of work in 3 days.”
On the contrary, Union Minister and BJP leader Kiren Rijiju said, “When Supreme Court has passed an order or a judgement that validates the stand of the govt or the provisions of the Act, that itself is something that I should not be making any comment now.”
