Supreme Court pulls up ED for lack of progress in trial for 4 years

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reprimanded the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for its lack of progress in the money laundering case against former IAS officer Anil Tuteja in connection with the Chhattisgarh liquor policy scam case..A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih noted that ED had neither filed the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) nor a complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) since Tuteja was granted anticipatory bail in August 2020.."Neither 2019 ECIR has been filed. In August 2020 anticipatory bail was granted. What is this going on? You (ED) have not even filed a complaint under PMLA," the Court remarked..The Court was hearing ED's challenge to the anticipatory bail granted to Tuteja. Appearing for the agency, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) V Raju pointed out that there were nine volumes of depositions and sought a fixed date of hearing..The counsel for Tuteja claimed that since the anticipatory bail was granted by the High Court four years ago, the ED has made no substantial progress in the investigation. This prompted Justice Oka to direct ED to file an affidavit detailing the evidence against Tuteja..However, ASG Raju responded that certain information couldn't be placed on record. He assured the Court that all relevant details would be presented during the hearing."There is objectionable conduct done by the accused and they have misused the anticipatory bail," he added..Justice Oka expressed difficulty in understanding how the judiciary was required to be involved and reiterated the need for ED to file an affidavit. .Tuteja's counsel suggested that the ED can present the information in a sealed cover. However, he also pointed out that it would be contrary to Supreme Court's judgment that disapproved the practice.He stated that his client had complied with all ED summons since the Chhattisgarh High Court granted him anticipatory bail in 2020. He questioned the ED's prolonged investigation, stating, "If they can't finish the investigation in four years, then what can I do?" he said..Towards the end of the hearing, ASG Raju sought time to present the required information."Lordships are right. I am not running away. Please give me time. I will place everything on record," he said.Accordingly, the Court granted ED time and posted the matter for further hearing in August.