Alleging misuse of central investigative agencies on central government, 14 opposition parties reach Supreme Court, hearing on April 5

Accusing the central government of misuse of central investigative agencies, 14 opposition parties have approached the Supreme Court on Friday. Opposition parties alleged that central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were only targeting BJP’s opponents. Opposition parties also said that cases against leaders are often dropped or buried after they join the BJP. On the other hand, the BJP denied these allegations and said that the agencies work independently.

SC agrees to hear on April 5 plea filed by 14 political parties led by Congress alleging arbitrary use of ED and CBI in arresting opposition leaders. pic.twitter.com/yOYiTgI0tn

— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2023

Allegations of arbitrary use of central investigative agencies

The Supreme Court agreed to list on April 5 a plea by 14 opposition parties led by the Congress alleging arbitrary use of central investigative agencies against political opponents. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud (and also comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice JB Pardiwala) took note of the submissions of senior advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for opposition parties like DMK, RJD, Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Trinamool Congress And said that the petition will be heard on April 5.

Opposition parties demanded guidelines

The parties are demanding pre and post guidelines to be followed by central investigative agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate. He said, ’95 percent of the cases are against the opposition leaders. We are asking for pre-arrest guidelines and post-arrest guidelines, Singhvi said. The 14 parties that have filed cases in the Supreme Court include Congress, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Janata Dal-United, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), National Conference, Nationalist, Congress Party, Left and DMK are involved.

9 opposition leaders wrote a letter to PM Modi

Earlier, 9 other opposition leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the arrest of Manish Sisodia in the Excise Policy case and alleged misuse of central agencies.