In a significant development, the Supreme Court delivered a surprising verdict. Declaring the third extension of the service of Enforcement Directorate (ED) Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra as illegal and against the law. The court overturned the extension, contradicting a previous judgment from 2021. Mishra, who initially served as the full-time director of ED from November 2018 to November 2020, had his tenure extended for another year by the central government.
However, the extension was challenged in the Supreme Court by Common Cause, a charity organization, as well as Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Jaya Thakur, and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. In September of the same year, the Supreme Court ruled that Mishra should not be granted any further extensions and should retire in November 2021. However, the Central government amended the CVC Act to extend the tenure of the ED Director to five years.
Consequently, Mishra’s term was extended from November 2021 to November 2022. However, the High Court rejected his extension for another year in November 2022. This verdict has raised concerns regarding the independence and autonomy of investigative agencies, as the perceived influence of ruling parties over these agencies has been a subject of contention. The Supreme Court’s ruling emphasises the significance of conducting fair investigations and preserving the credibility of these key organisations.
Additionally, it emphasises the necessity of addressing the worries regarding the alleged abuse of investigative agencies for political ends. The decision highlights the importance of sustaining the values of justice and fairness in the nation’s judicial system and serves as a reminder of the ongoing discussion regarding the objectivity and impartial operation of such institutions.