In a significant development, the Supreme Court has upheld the Directorate of Enforcement’s (ED) extensive powers, affirming its ability to summon “anybody for any information” regarding the sand mining case in Tamil Nadu. The Court strongly criticized four District Collectors for their failure to comply with ED summons, asserting their lack of respect for the court’s orders.
Despite explanations from the Collectors regarding the need for additional time to gather information due to ongoing elections, the Court deemed their conduct disrespectful and deprecated their cavalier approach. Justice Trivedi emphasized the Collectors’ obligation to abide by the court’s directives, emphasizing their duty to appear before the ED and provide necessary information.
Additionally, the Court clarified that the ED holds the authority to summon any person under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, rejecting arguments to the contrary. As a consequence, the Court ordered the four Collectors to appear before the ED on April 25, signaling the gravity of the matter and emphasizing the importance of compliance with legal proceedings.