Centre moves SC seeking extension of tenure for ED director till Oct 15

"The Central government is compelled to approach this (Supreme) Court seeking an extension of the date upto October 15, 2023, which the Respondent No. 2 (Sanjay K Mishra) may be permitted to continue in office, in view of the ongoing FATF (Financial Action Task Force) Review which is at a critical stage where submissions on effectiveness have been made on July 21, and on-site visit is scheduled to be conducted in November 2023.

At such a critical juncture, it is essential to have an individual who is well-acquainted with the overall status of money laundering investigations and proceedings across the country and also the intricacies of the procedures," the 14-page petition filed by the Union Government, before the Supreme Court revealed.

Since the Enforcement Directorate is the only money laundering agency in India, its role in the presentation of the effectiveness of anti-money laundering provisions and administration before the assessor is very significant and important from a national interest perspective, the Central Government said in its petition filed before the apex court, which is scheduled to hear it on Thursday, depending upon the cases listed in the SC.

The Centre said that this is necessary to ensure that the assessment team can be promptly and ably assisted with necessary reports, information, and statistics.

"Any transition in leadership at the Directorate of Enforcement at this stage would significantly impair the ability of the agency to provide necessary assistance to and co-operation with the assessment team and thereby adversely impact India's national interests," it said.