Oppn information ‘deep apprehension’ over SC upholding PMLA amendments, seeks assessment 

By PTI

NEW DELHI: At least 17 Opposition events together with the TMC and AAP Wednesday expressed apprehensions concerning the longterm implications of the Supreme Court verdict upholding amendments to the cash laundering Act and known as for a assessment.

In a joint assertion, their leaders mentioned the judgement will strengthen the arms of a authorities that “indulges in political vendetta” to focus on its opponents and expressed hope that this “dangerous verdict will be short-lived”.

17 Opposition events, together with TMC & AAP, plus one unbiased Rajya Sabha MP, have signed a joint assertion expressing deep apprehensions on long-term implications of the latest Supreme Court judgement upholding amendments to PMLA,2002 and known as for its assessment. The assertion: pic.twitter.com/vmhtxRHAnl

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 3, 2022

“We place on record our deep apprehension on the long-term implications of the recent Supreme Court judgement upholding, in entirety, the amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, without examining whether some of these amendments could have been enacted by way of Finance Act,” they mentioned within the assertion.

The events mentioned they maintain and can at all times maintain the Supreme Court within the highest respect.

“Yet, we are compelled to point out that the judgment should have awaited the verdict of a larger Bench for examining the constitutionality of the Finance Act route to carry out amendments.” 
“These far-reaching amendments strengthened the hands of a government, indulging in political vendetta of the worst kind, by using these very amended laws relating to money laundering and investigation agencies, to target its political opponents in a mischievous and malicious manner,” the opposition events alleged.

“We are also very disappointed that the highest judicial authority, invited to give an independent verdict on the lack of checks and balances in the Act, has virtually reproduced arguments given by the executive in support of draconian amendments. We hope that the dangerous verdict will be short lived and constitutional provisions will prevail soon,” the opposition leaders mentioned of their joint assertion.

Among the events which have signed the joint assertion are the Congress, the TMC, DMK, AAP, NCP, Shiv Sena, CPI-M, CPI, IUML, RSP, MDMK, RJD and RLD.

ALSO READ | The PMLA weapon: Perfecting the method as punishment

Congress’ Jairam Ramesh shared the joint assertion on Twitter, saying, “17 Opposition parties, including TMC & AAP, plus one independent Rajya Sabha MP, have signed a joint statement expressing deep apprehensions on long-term implications of the recent Supreme Court judgement upholding amendments to PMLA,2002 and called for its review.” 

The assertion comes a day after raids had been carried out by the Enforcement Directorate on the premises of the National Herald newspaper within the nationwide capital and elsewhere.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had been already questioned by the company in a cash laundering case.

NEW DELHI: At least 17 Opposition events together with the TMC and AAP Wednesday expressed apprehensions concerning the longterm implications of the Supreme Court verdict upholding amendments to the cash laundering Act and known as for a assessment.

In a joint assertion, their leaders mentioned the judgement will strengthen the arms of a authorities that “indulges in political vendetta” to focus on its opponents and expressed hope that this “dangerous verdict will be short-lived”.

17 Opposition events, together with TMC & AAP, plus one unbiased Rajya Sabha MP, have signed a joint assertion expressing deep apprehensions on long-term implications of the latest Supreme Court judgement upholding amendments to PMLA,2002 and known as for its assessment. The assertion: pic.twitter.com/vmhtxRHAnl
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 3, 2022
“We place on record our deep apprehension on the long-term implications of the recent Supreme Court judgement upholding, in entirety, the amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, without examining whether some of these amendments could have been enacted by way of Finance Act,” they mentioned within the assertion.

The events mentioned they maintain and can at all times maintain the Supreme Court within the highest respect.

“Yet, we are compelled to point out that the judgment should have awaited the verdict of a larger Bench for examining the constitutionality of the Finance Act route to carry out amendments.” 
“These far-reaching amendments strengthened the hands of a government, indulging in political vendetta of the worst kind, by using these very amended laws relating to money laundering and investigation agencies, to target its political opponents in a mischievous and malicious manner,” the opposition events alleged.

“We are also very disappointed that the highest judicial authority, invited to give an independent verdict on the lack of checks and balances in the Act, has virtually reproduced arguments given by the executive in support of draconian amendments. We hope that the dangerous verdict will be short lived and constitutional provisions will prevail soon,” the opposition leaders mentioned of their joint assertion.

Among the events which have signed the joint assertion are the Congress, the TMC, DMK, AAP, NCP, Shiv Sena, CPI-M, CPI, IUML, RSP, MDMK, RJD and RLD.

ALSO READ | The PMLA weapon: Perfecting the method as punishment

Congress’ Jairam Ramesh shared the joint assertion on Twitter, saying, “17 Opposition parties, including TMC & AAP, plus one independent Rajya Sabha MP, have signed a joint statement expressing deep apprehensions on long-term implications of the recent Supreme Court judgement upholding amendments to PMLA,2002 and called for its review.” 

The assertion comes a day after raids had been carried out by the Enforcement Directorate on the premises of the National Herald newspaper within the nationwide capital and elsewhere.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had been already questioned by the company in a cash laundering case.