SUPREME COURT QUESTIONS WHETHER ED IS OVER STEPPING IN TAMIL NADU LIQUOR-SCAM PROBE

For the second time in six months, the top court questions ED’s conduct in the case; “what happens to the federal structure,” asks CJI Gavai

- AJIKUMAR CHENNAI

Extending the stay on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) probe into money laundering cases registered against the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) in connection with an alleged liquor retail scam, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (October 14, 2025) orally questioned whether the agency’s investigation encroached upon the State’s authority to investigate offences.

Hearing petitions filed by TASMAC and the Tamil Nadu government, a Bench of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran directed that the case be listed after the court pronounces its judgment on the review petitions challenging its 2022 ruling in Vijay Madanlal Choudhary vs Union of Indiacase.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Gavai asked Additional Solicitor-General S.V. Raju, appearing for the ED, “What happens to the federal structure? Would this not amount to encroachment upon the State’s right to investigate? Can’t the local police look into the matter?”

Supreme Court stays ED probe in TASMAC liquor ‘scam’ in Tamil Nadu

In its 2022 judgment in Vijay Madanlal, the apex court had held that providing a copy of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) to the accused is not mandatory in every instance.