ED to Supreme Court: "Rule of Law" is a Fundamental Right for Investigating Officers

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) told the Supreme Court that its officers are entitled to seek protection under Article 32 when the "rule of law" is compromised.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that since the rule of law is a component of Article 14 (Right to Equality), officers acting in their official capacity remain citizens with fundamental rights.

The case involves allegations that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee interfered with a money laundering probe at the I-PAC office.

The ED is seeking a transfer of the investigation to the CBI, citing a total failure of state machinery.

[Directorate of Enforcement & Anr. v. State of West Bengal & Ors.]