TASMAC liquor scam: Madras HC imposes Rs 30000 cost on ED for failing to respond to a contempt plea
CHENNAI: In a setback to the
Enforcement Directorate
(ED), the Madras high court on Wednesday imposed Rs 30,000 as a cost on the agency for failing to file its counter affidavit in a contempt of court proceeding initiated by film producer Akash Bhaskaran in connection with the alleged Rs 1,000 TASMAC liquor scam.
A division bench of Justice M S Ramesh and Justice V Lakshminarayanan imposed the cost as the ED sought more time to file its counter despite taking several adjournments.
The issue pertains to an ongoing investigation into the alleged Rs 1,000 crore liquor scam involving TASMAC and its officials. In connection with the case, the ED conducted searches at properties linked to film producer Akash Bhaskaran and businessman Vikram Ravindran, during which documents were seized from Bhaskaran.
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Subsequently, pointing out that the ED lacks the power to lock and seal a premises, the High Court directed the ED to return the seized documents to Akash Bhaskaran and restrained the agency from taking any further action based on those documents.
However, since the ED summoned Akash Bhaskaran despite the restraining order, the bench on July 23 censured the ED for violating the court orders.
The court also granted liberty to the film producer to move a contempt of court petition against the ED if necessary.
Subsequently, the producer filed a contempt petition against the ED, claiming that despite the court's earlier order, the ED issued a notice regarding the documents through its appellate authority.
When the plea came up for hearing on Wednesday, counsel for the ED sought some more time to file its counter. Recording its displeasure over the agency's action, the court imposed the cost to be deposited to the Chief Justice's relief fund and adjourned the hearing to August 20.
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