SC upholding PMLA amendments: Opposition issues joint statement, calls it ‘dangerous’ verdict

New Delhi: The Opposition parties on Wednesday opposed the Supreme Court judgment which upheld the amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, calling it a “dangerous verdict”.  They issued a joint statement raising apprehension that the amendments had made it more conducive for the government to target the opposition leaders.

The top court on 22 July had upheld several provisions of the PMLA, 2002, allowing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to retain a lot of powers that can be exercised by them during the course of their investigation. It was challenged by nearly 250 petitions. The court rejected key arguments that the powers to arrest and an ambiguous definition of “proceeds of crime” could be misused.

The joint statement signed by representatives of the Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Aam Aadmi Party, CPI(M), Samajwadi Party and the RJD, among others, read:

“We hope that the dangerous verdict will be short-lived and constitutional provisions will prevail soon.”

These parties, however, said that they hold the country’s top court in the highest respect, but they found the judgment dangerous and is likely to have “long-term implications.

“We place on record our deep apprehension on the long-term implications of the recent Supreme Court judgement upholding,” they said in the statement.

“We are also very disappointed that the highest judicial authority, invited to give an independent verdict on the lack of checks and balances in the Act, has virtually reproduced arguments given by the executive in support of draconian amendments. We hope that the dangerous verdict will be short lived and constitutional provisions will prevail soon,” said the joint statement.

The BJP had called July 22 verdict a “landmark judgement” and a befitting reply to the opposition parties.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in a statement then opposed it saying the judgement would have “far-reaching implications… for our democracy, especially when governments are anchored in political vendetta”.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot had then said, “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.”