'No other competent face in department ?': SC angry on Sanjay Kumar Mishra's extension as ED chief

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court reacted harshly to the central government's decision to extend the tenure of the director of enforcement directorate Sanjay Kumar Mishra for a third term.

“Is there no other person in the organization who can do his job? Can one person be so indispensable?” a bench led by Justice BR Gavai asked solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta who represented the Centre.

The central government's decision to unanimously extend the tenure was questioned with several petitions from congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, Jaya Thakur, and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, among others.

Mishra ascended to director of ED in 2018. According to the final decision from SC, the 62-year-old Mishra can continue to head works in ED till November 18 of this year. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta advocated the central government's decision for concerns over the performance of the country during the FATF review that required a person of Mishra’s experience with a “different level of skill” to remain at the helm.