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Concerns Raised Over ED Actions Against TASMAC Officials in High Court Hearing
The Madras High Court hears a case regarding the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) recent raids on TASMAC, highlighting concerns over employee treatment and breach of privacy rights. The court has ordered the ED to provide a response and has advised against any coercive actions in the meantime.
Introduction: Recent actions taken by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) sparked significant controversy during a hearing at the Madras High Court. Justices MS Ramesh and N Senthilkumar expressed alarm over allegations concerning the treatment of TASMAC employees during ED raids, prompting questions about the legality and ethics of the operation.
ED’s Alleged Conduct Under Scrutiny
– A bench of justices raised concerns about the ED allegedly restraining TASMAC employees without communicating the reasons for the search.
– The court questioned whether it was appropriate to hold staff in the office for extended hours without proper justification.
– TASMAC’s counsel claimed some employees were kept for up to 60 hours, with minimal breaks allowed, which raised issues of employee welfare and rights.
Claims of Invasion of Privacy and Rights Violations
– The State-run TASMAC filed a complaint arguing that the ED’s actions not only exceeded their jurisdiction but also breached the privacy rights of employees by seizing mobile phones.
– Advocate General PS Raman highlighted that female employees were subjected to unreasonable hours, forced to return to the office early morning the next day after late-night releases.
– The legal representatives for TASMAC and the State government emphasized that the actions taken were unlawful under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
ED’s Response and Court’s Instructions
– The Additional Solicitor General (ASG) AR L Sundaresan denied allegations of captivation, asserting that all personnel were permitted to go home.
– The court instructed the ED to provide documentation supporting their actions and refrained from any coercive measures against TASMAC officials until further hearings.
– The next court meeting is scheduled for March 25, with a possibility of reviewing CCTV footage from the TASMAC premises to clarify conflicting claims.
Conclusion: The intervention by the Madras High Court underscores the delicate balance between regulatory enforcement and the protection of individual rights. As the situation continues to unfold, the ED must address the court’s concerns while respecting the rights of TASMAC employees. The public and stakeholders will be closely monitoring the advancements in this case.
Keywords: TASMAC, Enforcement Directorate, Madras High Court, employee rights, privacy breach, legal hearing, Tamil Nadu, regulatory enforcement, ED actions, court directives.
Hashtags: #TASMAC #EnforcementDirectorate #MadrasHighCourt #EmployeeRights #LegalHearing #PrivacyBreach #TamilNadu
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