The Supreme Court has granted permission to Ankit Tiwari, an Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer embroiled in a bribery case, to attend his trial via video conference from Madhya Pradesh. This ruling allows Tiwari to remain with his family while continuing to participate in the court proceedings conducted in Tamil Nadu.
Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan presided over the decision, further extending Tiwari’s interim bail which was initially granted after his arrest by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Tamil Nadu. He had been apprehended on allegations of accepting a bribe amounting to Rs. 20 lakhs. Prior rulings had also stayed the DVAC’s active investigation into these claims.
During the hearing, Tiwari’s defense, led by Advocate Shivam Singh, argued that the investigation against his client was complete and there was no risk of Tiwari influencing the trial or tampering with evidence. The court acknowledged these points and agreed to continue his interim bail, allowing him to travel back to Madhya Pradesh where he could reside until required to attend court sessions physically.
The proceedings also touched upon a related plea from the ED, which criticized the Tamil Nadu government for its alleged non-cooperation in providing necessary FIRs for ongoing money laundering investigations. The ED also suggested transferring the bribery case against Tiwari to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure impartiality and effective handling.
Justice Kant highlighted the complexities of jurisdiction in cases involving state and central agencies, cautioning against blanket policies that either restrict or fully authorize state police to investigate officers from central agencies. He emphasized the risks involved in such overarching decisions within a federal structure.
Senior Advocate Amit Anand Tiwari, representing the Tamil Nadu government, argued for a comprehensive hearing on these issues, pointing out that while the accused is entitled to a fair trial, they should not have the privilege to select their investigative agency.
