Thaindian News

New Delhi, Mar.3 (ANI): The Supreme Court slammed the Central Government today for failing to act against tax evaders and ordered the reinstatement of three key Enforcement Directorate officials who had been transferred midway into a probe, of a multi billion dollar money laundering case against Pune businessman Hassan Ali Khan.

A bench of Justice B Sudershan Reddy and Justice S S Nijjar said the apex court would be forced to appoint a special officer for supervising the probe against offenders, if the government failed to act.

The court criticized the government for failing to interrogate Khan and other alleged offenders, despite having sufficient evidence against them.

Khan, who is alleged to have stashed away around eight billion US dollars in foreign banks, had earlier been served a tax notice for Rupees 50,000 crore.

Expressing its disappointment, the bench remarked: ” There are instances when minor offenders are shot down for violating Section 144 CrPC, but you don’t take any action against these people. We are very sorry. All these people are now free.”

It then said it was unfortunate that the three key officials of the Enforcement Directorate investigating the black money scandal had been transferred midway into the investigation.

The bench has granted the Center time till Tuesday to file its response failing which it said the court would be forced to pass necessary orders.

While hearing a petition filed by noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani and some former bureaucrats, on the issue of black money stashed abroad by Indians and its repatriation, on February 10, the apex court had asked the government to ensure that Khan does not leave the country. (ANI)