Tamil Nadu: ED defended not sending summons, said- DVAC notice was given late
CHENNAI: In another incident of confrontation between the state police and the central agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which on Tuesday did not attend the summons issued by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to appear for investigation, Has inquired. The notice itself states that it was received after the scheduled date and time of 11 am on Tuesday.
“The notice, dated December 23, under section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, was received on the afternoon of December 26, much after the scheduled time of 11 am,” said Atul Gupta, assistant director of Madurai sub. Zonal office of ED.
Tallakulam police had summoned ED personnel in the case registered on a complaint by DVAC officials following the arrest of ED officer Ankit Tiwari at their office on December 1 for allegedly demanding and accepting bribes by DVAC. When the raid was conducted the authorities had prevented him from discharging his duties. Bribe of Rs 20 lakh from a government employee.
In a letter to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Tallakulam Range, Gupta also accused the police of invoking Section 160 of the CrPC (power of police officer to require the attendance of witnesses) without informing them (ED) of the reason or the matter of inquiry. Raised the question. He said the notice issued to the ED personnel lacks any official stamp or seal and the name or identity of the person issuing the notice has also not been disclosed.
Further, the letter also raised questions over the searches conducted by DVAC personnel on December 1 and 2, when several unknown, unauthorized persons broke into the ED office and stole sensitive, confidential records belonging to the central agency.
Gupta said it is the ED’s complaint that such repeated illegal acts and misuse of the Criminal Procedure Code are intended to prevent the central agency from conducting proper, legitimate investigations into corruption cases registered against powerful people in the state. Used to be. He also mentioned that the ED had also filed a criminal complaint with the DGP on December 2 and issued a reminder on December 16 to register an FIR against the DVAC officials and unidentified persons involved.
“We are willing to make arrangements to provide relevant materials, details and documents which will assist your inquiry, provided that the investigation is impartial and professional,” Gupta said.
