In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken its concerns regarding the purported non-cooperation of Tamil Nadu in sharing crucial information related to criminal complaints and FIRs under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to the Supreme Court. The ED has not only highlighted the state's reluctance but has also sought the transfer of the ongoing bribery probe against its officer, Ankit Tiwari, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The case, currently under investigation by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), has triggered a legal tussle raising questions about the protection of fundamental rights and the efficacy of the investigative process.

The ED's plea before the Supreme Court emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding the rights of money laundering victims in Tamil Nadu, expressing frustration over the state's failure to share information on scheduled offences. The agency contends that the lack of cooperation is hindering its ability to investigate and combat money laundering effectively.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan is scheduled to hear the case, which revolves around allegations of bribery against Ankit Tiwari. The ED is urging the Supreme Court to intervene to ensure a fair and unbiased investigation, advocating for the transfer of the case to the CBI.

Ankit Tiwari, an ED officer, found himself in legal trouble when he was arrested by the DVAC for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹20 lakh from a doctor in Dindigul. The arrest was made after the DVAC claimed that Tiwari had threatened the doctor and demanded ₹3 crore to close pending cases against him. The negotiations allegedly led to an agreement for ₹51 lakh, with the doctor paying ₹20 lakh. Tiwari, in response, has asserted that the case against him is malicious.

The ED's plea also sheds light on what it describes as the state's 'deliberate design' to impede the investigative process by withholding information, specifically FIRs, crucial to money laundering cases. The agency argues that Tamil Nadu's failure to upload FIRs in sensitive matters on the prescribed website obstructs the fight against crime and undermines the objectives of the PMLA.

The petition contends that the non-cooperation by the state is not limited to information sharing but extends to broader issues, including recent raids at the ED office in Madurai. Furthermore, the ED raises concerns about the absence of appointed nodal officers to coordinate in money-laundering cases, adding another layer of complexity to an already intricate situation.