In a big set back to the multinational NGO Amnesty International, the Delhi High Court has refused to the stay the attachment of its bank accounts and deposits by the Enforcement Directorate. However, the HC has in its order on Saturday said that any final order by the ED will not be implemented without the permission of the Court.
In November 2019, the CBI registered an FIR against Amnesty International and its affiliates for violating the FCRA and the PMLA. After the CBI’s case, the ED had in November 2020 registered money laundering charges and attached several deposits and bank accounts of the NGO. Properties worth Rs 1,87,86,807, two bank accounts holding a total of Rs 2,35,977, and 10 fixed deposit accounts holding a total of Rs 1,85,50,830 were provisionally attached by the agency.
Passing orders on Amnesty India office’s petition, Justice Rekha Palli made it clear that any final order by the ED will not be implemented without the permission of the Court. Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurana, counsel for Amnesty International, argued that the provisional attachment order (PAO) is no longer valid as the period of 180 days lapsed on May 25. The law mandates that the PAO has to be confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority under the Act within 180 days. Advocate Amit Mahajan, appearing for the ED, explained that the delay was due to certain issues.
The Court gave parties time to complete the pleadings and posted the case for hearing next on September 28.
