Why you being used for political battles: SC to ED

“Mr Raju, please don’t compel us to open our mouths. Otherwise, we will be forced to make some harsh comments about the ED. Unfortunately, I have some experience in Maharashtra. Don’t perpetuate this violence across the country.”

- MPOST BUREAU

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a Karnataka High Court order quashing the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) proceedings against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, B M Parvathi, in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land case. The apex court also raised serious concerns over the ED’s functioning in politically sensitive matters, warning against its misuse in partisan conflicts.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran delivered a stinging rebuke while hearing the ED’s appeal, asking, “Let political battles be fought before the electorate. Why are you being used?”

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the ED, was told by the CJI, “Mr Raju, please don’t compel us to open our mouths. Otherwise, we will be forced to make some harsh comments about the ED. Unfortunately, I have some experience in Maharashtra. Don’t perpetuate this violence across the country.” The court dismissed the ED’s appeal, saying, “We do not find any error in the reasoning adopted in the approach of the learned single judge.” In a lighter moment, the bench added, “We should thank you, ASG, for saving some harsh comments.”