Supreme Court Issues Notice in NewsClick ED Case Challenge

The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to NewsClick and its editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha in response to the Enforcement Directorate's petition against a High Court order, marking the latest development in the ongoing legal dispute involving the news organisation.

During proceedings on Monday, counsel representing the ED requested an extension of four weeks to prepare comprehensive arguments for the apex court. Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, who is leading the agency's legal team, was reportedly unavailable for the initial hearing, prompting the request for additional time to mount the ED's case.

The matter pertains to a High Court decision that had favoured the news portal in an earlier phase of litigation with the ED. The Enforcement Directorate's challenge to that order now rests before India's highest court, with the outcome potentially affecting media freedom and investigative journalism practices in the country.

The Supreme Court's decision to issue notices to the respondents indicates that the bench will hear substantive arguments from both sides before delivering a judgment. The four-week extension granted to the ED will allow the agency to file detailed submissions outlining its grounds for challenging the High Court's decision and seeking relief from the Supreme Court.