SC Extends Stay Order, Set to Hear ED’s Petition Against Tamil Nadu Government on March 20

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the Tamil Nadu government on March 20. The case pertains to the ongoing legal battle between the ED and the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) involving ED officer Ankit Tiwari in a corruption case. The Supreme Court expressed concerns over the escalating conflict between central investigating agencies and state governments and announced its intention to frame guidelines or mechanisms for states to collaborate with the ED in money laundering investigations without compromising principles of federalism.

In the latest development, the Supreme Court extended its stay order on criminal proceedings initiated by the DVAC against Ankit Tiwari. This decision was made during a previous hearing where a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant granted interim relief to Tiwari, even as the Tamil Nadu government sought additional time to file a response to the petition filed by the ED.

The ED has challenged the proceedings against Ankit Tiwari, arguing that the action taken by the DVAC was retaliatory in nature, following money laundering and corruption cases lodged by central agencies against ministers and subsequent raids conducted on them. The ED has requested the transfer of the case from DVAC to a different jurisdiction.

Representing Tamil Nadu, Additional Advocate General Amit Anand Tiwari asserted that Ankit Tiwari was apprehended red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹20 lakh from a doctor in Dindigul district.

The apex court had previously stayed both DVAC and ED from further probing the case against Ankit Tiwari on January 25. During that hearing, the court directed that all materials collected during the investigation be presented before it.

Ankit Tiwari had previously requested a two-week extension for Tamil Nadu to file a response to the ED’s petition.

Moreover, on January 25, the Supreme Court suggested the establishment of a mechanism to ascertain whether political vendetta or vindictiveness motivated the central government’s decision to deploy the Enforcement Directorate against officials and ministers in opposition-ruled states and whether states retaliated by arresting local officers of the central agency.

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