AGENCIES STRUGGLING TO CAMOUFLAGE MISCHIEF IN ELECTION-EVE POLITICAL ARRESTS SUPREME COURT CATCHING UP WITH VIOLATION OF LIFE AND LIBERTY BY EXECUTIVE

The Supreme Court’s probing questions about the timing of arrests by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of political figures spotlight growing concerns about the propriety and implications of such actions, especially when juxtaposed with the electoral calendar. The apex court’s concerns telescope the potential misuse of central agencies as instruments of political influence, which could undermine the democratic ethos of fair and free elections.

In the case of Hemant Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, his arrest by the ED on charges of money laundering came after his resignation, a move that coincided with the election period. The Supreme Court issued a notice to the ED on Soren’s plea for interim bail, highlighting the need for a judicial examination of the circumstances surrounding his arrest. The timing of Soren’s arrest, which occurred just before the Lok Sabha elections, raises questions about the potential for law enforcement agencies to be used as tools for political gain.

Similarly, the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the ED in connection with the excise policy case has come under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny. The court has explicitly asked the ED to explain the rationale behind the timing of Kejriwal’s arrest, which also took place shortly before the elections. The court’s insistence on understanding the ‘timing’ aspect indicates a judicial acknowledgment of the sensitive nature of such arrests and their possible impact on the electoral process.

The Supreme Court’s interventions in these cases are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of judicial oversight aimed at preserving the sanctity of democratic institutions. By questioning the timing of the arrests, the court is effectively seeking to ensure that central agencies operate within the bounds of law and fairness, without becoming entangled in political machinations.

The court’s actions also serve as a reminder of the delicate balance that must be maintained between the enforcement of law and the preservation of democratic principles. The judiciary’s role as a guardian of constitutional values becomes even more critical during election periods, when the political atmosphere is charged, and the actions of central agencies are under intense public scrutiny.

In essence, the Supreme Court’s queries into the propriety of ED’s actions represent a crucial check on the powers of law enforcement agencies. They underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in the functioning of such agencies, particularly in the context of their interactions with political leaders and the potential influence on electoral outcomes.

As the nation watches the Supreme Court’s handling of these high-profile cases, the message is clear: the rule of law must prevail, and the integrity of the electoral process must be safeguarded. The court’s stance serves as a bulwark against any attempts to use central agencies as pawns in the electoral chess game, ensuring that the democratic spirit of India remains vibrant and unassailable.

The use of ED and other central agencies for coercing corporates to make huge contributions to the ruling party’s political funding has been a subject of intense scrutiny and debate. While the procurement of contributions through electoral bonds by these agencies is a recognized practice, their role in influencing electoral decisions by opposition parties marks a new chapter in the political narrative.

The resort to arrests of political leaders by these agencies marks another blatant turn in the misuse of enforcement agencies by the ruling party. Allegations of misuse of these agencies by the ruling party to erode the level playing field in elections have been brought to the attention of the Election Commission, which has, however, acted so far as a silent spectator. For instance, the Congress party had sought the Commission’s intervention against the alleged targeting of its leaders by central agencies, but nothing tangible has come out of it.

In fact, the pointed question by the Supreme Court as to why Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested just before the general elections began will take a lot of explaining by the ED to sound convincing. The bench has asked ED to make it clear whether the central agency can take up criminal proceedings without having gone through judicial proceedings in the case. The court has told the ED to explain why there has been such a huge gap between the beginning of proceedings and the arrest, which is expected to happen at the next hearing.