The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday, upheld the Enforcement Directorate’s power to arrest, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and stated that providing the person with an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) is not always required.
During a hearing today on petitions contesting the validity of various PMLA provisions, the Supreme Court maintained the ED’s powers of investigation, arrest, and property attachment. The ability to make an arrest, grant bail, and seize property are all outside the purview of the Code of Criminal Procedure under the strict PMLA law (CrPC).
The highest court ruled that the Act’s strict bail requirements are legitimate and not arbitrary.
The petitioners included Anil Deshmukh, Mehbooba Mufti, and Karti Chidambaram among others.
Reacting to the verdict BJP President, JP Nadda said “Supreme Court has upheld the PMLA and jurisdiction of ED. The law is taking its course & the Congress party’s attempt to keep one family above the law will not work. We must respect the law of the land”
He added “Congress protests not ‘Satyagrah’, but an attempt to hide the truth. They are protesting to protect a family, not the country. Gandhis required to answer the investigation agencies, but they think they are above the law”, news agency ANI reported.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is in for a third round of questioning by the ED. On Tuesday, Congress party leaders protested against the questioning of Sonia gandhi by ED, the protest was led by Rahul Gandhi. He was detained by the Police along with other Congress party leaders.
Source: Live Law, ANI, TOI
