ED crossing all limits, violating federal structure

In a relief to the Tamil Nadu government, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Enforcement Directorate's probe and proceedings against the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) over an alleged ₹1,000-crore scam. The two-judge bench hearing Tamil Nadu's petition orally criticised the probe agency.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTYhi

"Enforcement Directorate is crossing all limits. How can your office raid a corporation (Tasmac)? You are totally violating the federal structure of the country," Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who led the bench, said.

The bench also comprised Justice Augustine George Masih.

The petition filed by the DMK-run state government and Tasmac challenged the April 23 order of the Madras High Court that upheld the ED's actions, alleging grave violations of constitutional rights and the federal structure.

"The present petition raises questions of law having wide ramifications including the issue of federalism laid bare by the respondent (ED) exceeding its remit and attempting to usurp the state's right to investigate offences occurring therein," the state government contended.