11-07-2023 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticized those celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision on the extension of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief’s tenure, stating that they are delusional for various reasons. Shah highlighted that the top court has upheld the amendments to the Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Act, emphasizing that the powers of the ED to combat corruption remain intact.
In a tweet following the Supreme Court’s ruling that deemed two notifications granting extensions to Sanjay Kumar Mishra as the ED chief “illegal,” Shah stated that the institution of the ED transcends any individual and is focused on investigating money laundering offenses and violations of foreign exchange laws. He added that the identity of the ED director is not crucial, as anyone assuming the role will address the pervasive corruption within a privileged group of dynastic leaders who hold an anti-development mindset.
The Supreme Court upheld the amendments made to the Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Act, 2021, the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Act, 2021, and the Fundamental (Amendment) Rules, 2021. These amendments enable the government to grant a maximum tenure of five years to the chiefs of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED.
The bench, consisting of Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, and Sanjay Karol, stated that Mishra’s tenure would continue until July 31 due to the ongoing peer review conducted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) this year. The FATF is a global organization focused on combatting money laundering, terrorist financing, and the financing of proliferation activities.
While partially allowing the writ petitions challenging the extension given to Mishra, the Supreme Court declared the two notifications granting the extensions as illegal. The opposition Congress party viewed the court’s verdict as a validation of their stance and a rebuke to the government. They alleged that the ruling demonstrates the government’s misuse of agencies to target opposition leaders and destabilize non-BJP-ruled state governments.
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal stated that his party had consistently maintained the view that the extension of the ED director’s tenure was completely illegal. He proclaimed that the government has been exposed and criticized for their actions.