Congress expresses disappointment over SC ruling on PMLA

Expressing disappoint over SC ruling on PMLA, AICC General Secretary in charge of Media and Communications and Congress MP Jairam Ramesh in a statement said, “The judgment pronounced by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on the powers of the Enforcement Directorate today will have far reaching implications for our democracy, especially when Governments are anchored in political vendetta.”

Talking about the specific aspect of the judgement he remarked, “I had moved the Supreme Court on the blatant misuse of the Money Bill route by the Modi Government, on the amendments made to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The Supreme Court had issued notice on my petition on July 2^nd, 2019. This question remains unresolved in today’s judgment.” 

He added that the Hon’ble Court has agreed that they “are conscious of the fact that if that ground of challenge is to be accepted, it may go to the root of the matter and amendments effected vide Finance Act would become unconstitutional or ineffective.”  The Hon’ble Court has left these matters to be decided by a larger bench. This is a matter of some gratification. 

Earlier, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed concerns over SC verdict, Gehlot said, ““The pronouncement of the Supreme Court on the rights of PML Act and ED is disappointing and worrying. A dictatorial atmosphere has prevailed in the country for the last few years and after this decision, the possibility of political misuse of ED by the Centre will increase further.” – INDIA NEWS STREAM