The Supreme Court on July 27, in a special hearing, extended Enforcement Directorate (ED) Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra’s tenure till September 15, 2023 to serve “public and national interest”.
The court had declared Mr. Mishra’s continuation as ED Director “invalid and illegal” in a judgment on July 11. It had directed him to quit office by July 31.
However, just four days before the deadline, the Centre moved an urgent application in the Supreme Court, saying Mr. Mishra’s presence in the saddle was crucial for the country to effectively sail through the ongoing evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The government asked the court to allow Mr. Mishra, who is currently on his third extension and fifth year as ED chief, to continue till October 15. The country’s international image was at stake, the Centre pleaded.
