Setback To BJP Before Elections

Opposition parties are often apprehensive about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) due to the perceived influence the ruling party holds over key investigative agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Income Tax (IT) department.

There have been allegations that the BJP government misuses these agencies to target opposition leaders. This has raised concerns about the fairness and impartiality of investigations conducted by these agencies.

In a significant development, the Supreme Court delivered a surprising verdict on Tuesday, declaring the third extension of the service of ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra as illegal and against the law. The court clarified that the extension of his service was invalid, contradicting a judgment given in 2021, and subsequently cancelled it.

Mishra, who was appointed as the full-time director of ED in November 2018, initially served until November 2020. However, the central government extended his tenure for another year. This extension was challenged in the Supreme Court by a charity called Common Cause, and petitions were also filed by Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Jaya Thakur, and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.

In September of the same year, the court ruled that Mishra should not be given any further extensions and should retire in November 2021. However, the Central government subsequently amended the CVC Act, extending the tenure of the ED Director to five years.

As a result, Mishra’s tenure was extended from November 2021 to November 2022. However, his extension for another year in November 2022 was rejected by the High Court.