The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Centre’s response within 10 days on a bunch of petitions challenging the extensions granted to Sanjay Kumar Mishra as Enforcement Directorate director.

A bench of Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli issued notices to the respondents, including the Centre, the Central Vigilance Commission and the present ED director, based on eight petitions, including those filed by Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala and Jaya Thakur, Trinamul’s Saket Gokhale and Mahua Moitra, advocate Manohar Lal Sharma and civil liberties activist Vineet Narain.

The petitioners had pointed out that the apex court had in September last year ruled that Mishra must not be granted another extension after the expiry of his earlier extension period that was to end in November.

“Issue notice to the central law agency. List after 10 days,” the bench said on Tuesday.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Surjewala, drew the court’s attention to a central ordinance issued last November vesting the government with absolute power to appoint and extend the tenure of the ED chief up to five years. Singhvi said fixed tenures were the “hallmark of independence” of an institution and the fact that an incumbent may get an extension would “demolish” this.

The Narendra Modi government has been facing allegations of using the ED to hound critics and political rivals.

Mishra, the ED director, retired in May 2020 but continues to be on extension. The petitioners have challenged the order extending Mishra’s tenure for a period of one year from November 18, 2021, to November 18, 2022, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Teesta moves Gujarat HC for bail

Social activist Teesta Setalvad and retired IPS officer R.B. Sreekumar have moved Gujarat High Court for bail after the sessions court rejected their petition on July 30.

Setalvad and Sreekumar were arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Gujarat police in June, soon after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsaan Jafri who was killed in Ahmedabad during the post-Godhra riots, alleging a larger conspiracy.

Setalvad and Sreekumar were accused of forgery and fabricating evidence with intent to procure conviction for capital offences.

They approached the high court on Monday for regular bail.

PTI