SC appoints Amicus Curiae in ED director extension case

The Supreme Court has appointed senior advocate KV Vishanathan as amicus curiae in the case challenging the validity of extension given to ED director Sanjay Kumar Mishra. A bench headed by Chief Justice UU Lalit posted the matter for final disposal next week.

"Considering the issues raised, we appoint senior advocate KV Vishwanathan as amicus curiae to assist us in this case. The amicus shall be assisted by an AoR (advocate-on-record). The AoR shall make a concise statement regarding submission by various parties and include relevant documents," SC said in its order.

Earlier in the day, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the Centre's reply was ready and would be served to the petitioners. Mehta said that all PILs, barring one, were from political leaders and parties whose members were under ED probe and hence the instant petitions were 'not bona fide PILs but pressure tactic'.


Petitioners' counsel argued that Mishra should not be granted more extensions. On August 2, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Centre on petitions challenging tenure extension granted to Mishra. The petitions also challenged two ordinances promulgated last November, increasing the tenures CBI and ED directors from two years earlier to five years. The subsequent Parliament session in December had passed the bills to replace the ordinances.

Advocate ML Sharma, one of the petitioners, sought quashing of the amendments on the ground that they were cleared by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in violation of Article 100 of the Constitution - without voting. Other petitioners include Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala and Trinamool leader Mohua Moitra. Mishra's extended tenure expires this November.