Overview

• The bench rebuked the Enforcement Directorate for exceeding its mandate, cautioning that it cannot act like a “crook” and must stay within legal bounds
• Justices noted that fewer than 10% of roughly 5,000 ECIRs registered in five years have resulted in convictions, raising doubts about the agency’s effectiveness
• The court questioned why ED is not required to supply copies of the ECIR or grounds of arrest, spotlighting gaps in procedural fairness
• Justices suggested establishing dedicated courts for PMLA cases, modeled on TADA and POTA tribunals, to ensure day-to-day hearings and faster trials
• Further arguments on review petitions challenging the 2022 PMLA verdict are set for next week as the court continues its oversight