Overview
- A Supreme Court bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate and the Centre on Chaitanya Baghel’s plea, asking for a response within 10 days.
- The court focused on the interpretation of Section 193 and related provisions on “further investigation,” pressing how long probes can continue and whether magistrate permission is required before proceeding.
- Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju said the ED has a three‑month window upheld by the top court, has recorded witness statements, and has evidence beyond alleged non‑cooperation.
- Baghel has also filed a constitutional challenge to PMLA provisions, including Sections 50, 63 and 44, which the court has slated to be heard with a pending batch of cases.
- Baghel was arrested on July 18 in the alleged ₹2,000 crore Chhattisgarh liquor scam, and the High Court on October 17 declined to quash the arrest while terming the lack of a Section 50 notice a procedural lapse.