THE Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Enforcement Directorate’s conduct in politically sensitive cases as it upheld the Karnataka High Court’s decision to quash the case against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife in the MUDA case. Cautioning against the agency being used as a tool in political battles, a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai said, “Let political battles be fought before the electorate.

 

Why are you being used”. The bench comprising Chief Justice Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was hearing the ED’s appeal challenging a Karnataka High Court order that quashed proceedings in the MUDA case involving BM Parvati, wife of the Karnataka Chief Minister. “Mr Raju (Additional Solicitor General S V Raju who was appearing for the ED), please don’t compel us to open our mouths. Otherwise, we will be forced to make some harsh comments about the ED. Unfortunately, I have some experience in Maharashtra. Don’t perpetuate this violence across the country. Let political battles be fought before the electorate. Why are you being used,” the CJI said during the brief proceedings.

 

The court dismissed the ED’s appeal, upholding the Karnataka High Court’s decision to quash the case. CM Siddaramaiah welcomes SC ruling in MUDA case: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Karnataka High Court judgment, which quashed the ED notice in the MUDA case. A statement issued by the Chief Minister’s office called the ruling a step towards justice and a blow to politically motivated interference. Referring to media reports, the statement read: Supreme Court upholds judgment of the High Court quashing ED notice in Parvathi and Byrathi Suresh MUDA Case.