‘Misuse’ Of Central Agencies: SC Refuses To Entertain Petition By 14 Opposition Parties

New Delhi: In a setback to the Opposition, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a petition filed by 14 parties, led by Congress, over the ‘misuse’ of central agencies by the Union government.

Asking the Opposition parties to cite a specific case, the apex court said abstract guidelines cannot be laid down.

“Laying down general guidelines without having relation to facts of a case will be dangerous,” stated the two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice J. B. Pardiwala.

“When political parties argue that there is a chilling effect on Opposition because of CBI/ED cases against Opposition leaders, the answer lies in the political space and not in courts,” the bench said.

Besides Congress, the DMK, RJD, BRS, Trinamool Congress, AAP, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), JMM, JD(U), CPI(M), CPI, Samajwadi Party and J-K National Conference had moved the Supreme Court last month alleging misuse of probe agencies like Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to frame their leaders.

The joint petition was mentioned for urgent hearing on March 24 by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

“I am asking for guidelines for the future. This is a remarkable convergence of 14 parties against the misuse of the agencies, both CBI and ED,” Singhvi had said, claiming that 95% cases of the CBI and ED are against leaders of Opposition parties.

Sensing the top court’s disinclination in entertaining the plea today, Singhvi, appearing for the political parties, withdrew the petition.