SC orders status quo on inquiry into complaint against ED official

Seeking the government's response, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a status quo on the probe against Enforcement Directorate Deputy Director Rajeshwar Singh on the basis of anonymous complaints.

Restraining authorities from any action based on these complaints, a bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer observed: "Anything can come ... there is no outline of the complaint... it can be made against anyone in public office."

Rajeshwar Singh's counsel Gopal Sankaranarayanan said the anonymous complaint was a repeat of earlier complaints filed against the official when he was investigating a Sahara Group matter.

Sankaranarayanan said the anonymous complaint had again surfaced when the officer was in the zone of consideration for the post of ED Additional Director.

The court sought the Centre's response on Rajeshwar Singh's plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into what he called a "conspiracy" against him.

Alternately, Rajeshwar Singh urged, the court should direct his withdrawal from investigating responsibilities.

"He is one of the most honest officers, being pressured by politicians," BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy said to a poser from the bench before it ordered for status quo.

Prashant Bhushan, who had represented the NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation in the 2G scam case before the top court, said he had no objection to Rajeshwar Singh's application.

--IANS

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