The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended its interim order restraining the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from carrying out any coercive action—including searches, seizures, or further investigation—against the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) in connection with an alleged liquor retail scam in the state.

A bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran raised sharp questions about the ED’s actions and their impact on the federal balance of investigative powers between the Centre and the states. “Would it not amount to encroachment upon the right of the state to investigate? In every case, when you find that the state is not investigating, will you take it upon yourself? What happens to Section 66(2)?” the bench asked.

The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and TASM

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