Tasmac raid: HC allows 'deeper probe' by ED

Court bins petitions filed by state govt and liquor entity, contentions on violations of human rights and federalism

- R SIVAKUMAR @ Chennai

STATING that the allegations and complaint against the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) are 'grave in nature' and warrants 'deeper investigation', the Madras High Court on Wednesday cleared the decks for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to proceed with the probe by dismissing the petitions filed by Tasmac and the Tamil Nadu government against the recent raids conducted on the retail liquor business entity.

A bench of Justices S M Subramaniam and K Rajasekar negated the contentions raised by the petitioners, including non-furnishing of "reasons to believe" the commission of the offence, and the FIRs relied upon by the agency for proceeding under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), violations of principles of federalism, political motive and violation of human rights of employees, particularly women.