The ED said the notice was issued inadvertently, not in defiance of the stay. However, the court rejected the explanation, questioning the agency’s sudden urgency after previous delays
Published Jul 24, 2025 | 11:52 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 24, 2025 | 11:52 PM
Madras High Court raps ED for issuing summons to film producer despite stay
Synopsis: The Madras High Court has pulled up the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for issuing a summons to film producer Akash Bhaskaran, despite an earlier court-ordered stay on proceedings. Dismissing the ED’s claim that it was an “inadvertent mistake,” the court called the action unacceptable and hinted that Bhaskaran may initiate contempt proceedings against the agency for violating judicial orders
In a stern rebuke, the Madras High Court criticised the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for issuing a summons to Tamil film producer Akash Bhaskaran, despite a stay on proceedings ordered by the court earlier.
The bench questioned the agency’s conduct and called the issuance of the summons “unacceptable.”
The court was hearing a petition related to an ongoing probe when it was informed that Bhaskaran had received a fresh summons from the ED—despite the fact that the court had explicitly stayed all further proceedings in the case.
Responding to the court’s query, the ED claimed the notice was issued inadvertently and not in wilful defiance of the stay order.
The bench, however, expressed clear dissatisfaction with the explanation and questioned the agency’s sudden urgency in the matter.
The judges remarked that the ED, which had previously taken a slow approach in collecting documents, had now acted with inexplicable haste.
“How can such a summons be issued when a stay is in force?” the court asked, adding that such behaviour undermines the authority of judicial orders.
The court also observed that Akash Bhaskaran was at liberty to initiate contempt of court proceedings if he so chose.
The matter will be heard again on the next scheduled date.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
