Trouble for Centre? Supreme Court issues notice to government over extension to ED Director SK Mishra

The Central Government may land in trouble over a third consecutive extension granted to Enforcement Directorate SK Mishra. The Supreme Court of India today issued a notice to the Centre seeking its response in view of a petition challenging the third extension of tenure given to Mishra. The plea alleged that the move is destroying the democratic process of the country. The plea was filed by the General Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee Jaya Thakur.

A bench of justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath issued notice to Centre and others on the plea. Thakur claimed that Mishra has been given an extension despite the matter being subjudice and initial adverse order against the respondent ED Director SK Mishra in another petition filed by the activist in the Supreme Court. The petitioner has challenged the Centre decision dated November 17 2022 whereby the govt has extended the third tenure of the director of Enforcement Directorate SK Mishra.

"The respondents destroying the basic structure of democracy by misusing the enforcement agencies against the political opponent. The Supreme Court in a number of the cases held that appointment in Enforcement Agencies must be fair and transparent manners if their appointment will be done in biased nature, then they can be used as tools," the petition said.

Meanwhile, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh claimed that the government is using the ED for political gains. He said that there has been rampant misuse of investigating agencies against Opposition members. "Enforcement Directorate carried out around 3010 raids including those against opposition members in the past 8 years but only 23 allegations have been proved so far. The conviction rate is only 0.5%," said Singh.

राज्य सभा के नेता सदन @PiyushGoyal या तो मूर्ख हैं या झूठे।
उनकी ही सरकार ने बताया “ED ने 3010 छापे मारे मात्र 23 पर आरोप सिद्ध हुआ”
मैने यही बोल दिया।
गोयल साहेब कह रहे “आरोप निराधार है”
अपनी सरकार की करतूत से वाक़िफ़ रहिये पीयूष जी। pic.twitter.com/LyI67CeOJk — Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) December 12, 2022

However, Leader of the House, Piyush Goyal claimed that these are unsubstantiated allegations and all actions are taken in the public interest and all these matters are before competent courts.