CJI Defends Supreme Court’s Remarks on Enforcement Directorate as Factual

Rapid Summary

• Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai defended oral remarks made by the Supreme Court against the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), asserting they were factual and dispassionate during proceedings on August 18, 2025.
• The ED faced criticism for its examination into Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), with Tamil nadu challenging ED’s raids and actions before the Supreme Court.
• CJI Gavai highlighted concerns about federal violations, questioning how a corporation could be accused of criminal offenses and describing ED’s actions as “crossing all limits.”
• Senior advocate Kapil Sibal remarked that public perceptions around the ED exist nonetheless of court comments.
• Mukul Rohatgi argued on privacy grounds, claiming employees’ phones had been cloned during raids.
• The Additional Solicitor General stated the probe involved a fraud amounting to ₹1,000 crore with alleged involvement of politicians.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The discussion raises pertinent questions about jurisdictional limits in investigations involving state corporations like TASMAC. Critics argue that probing a government agency for criminal liability breaches India’s federal framework by encroaching onto state governance territory. Legal experts further flagged privacy infringements linked to device seizures during raids.While the seriousness of allegations-a ₹1,000 crore fraud tied to political figures-underscores investigative necessity, maintaining constitutional propriety remains essential for institutional integrity. Such cases can sway public trust in enforcement agencies but also reveal systemic challenges within cooperative federalism structures.

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