Enforcement Directorate Special Powers Challenged Again In Top Court
NDTV
The gamut of ED powers, which have been largely criticised by the civil society and opposition parties, had received approval from Supreme Court last year.
The extraordinary powers of the Enforcement Directorate will come under the scanner of the Supreme Court again with the judges agreeing to hear another batch of petitions challenging them. In July last year, the top court had upheld the powers granted to the Central agency to search, seize and arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Under the law, the Enforcement Directorate enjoys unusual powers in terms of arrest, search and seizure, attachment of properties and bail.It does not require warrants for arrest or search and in court, the onus is on the accused to prove innocence. The agency does not have to share the ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) -- said to be similar to FIR (First Information Report).
The gamut of powers, which have been largely criticised by the civil society and opposition parties, had received approval from the country's highest court last year.