Delhi High Court Directs Centre For Filling Up Of Vacancies For Members In Adjudicating Authority Under PMLA

The Delhi High Court has directed Centre for filling up the vacancy positions for members in the Adjudicating Authority under Prevention of Money Laundering Act within a period of three months.

The Court also directed the Centre to take steps to fill up vacancies regarding Court master and other working staff through alternate means, within a period of one month.

Justice Pratibha M Singh sought status report to be filed in respect of the steps taken for appointments and filling up of vacancies, within a period of two months.  

"Considering the fact that benches of the Adjudicating Authority hold hearings, and the quantum of cases is considerable, it is not sufficient to merely fill up the vacancies as they exist today, but there is also a need to increase the manpower within the Adjudicating Authority, in order to enable the authority to function in an efficient manner," the Court said.

The Central Government counsel submitted that the selection for the post of Chairperson is underway and is likely to conclude shortly.

"For the positions of Member (Administration) and Member (Law), the proposal for issuance of vacancy circulars is stated to be under consideration. Since these positions have been vacant for a considerable period of time, the Government is directed to take steps for filling up the said posts, within a period of three months," the Court directed.

"The Government would also consider, keeping in mind the quantum of cases before the Adjudicating Authority, as to whether the staff strength needs to be increased, and if so the vacancy circulars, which are to be issued, would be issued after taking a decision on the increase in the staff strength," the Court added.

The matter will now be heard on November 30.

Title: M/S HAMILTON HOUSEWARES PVT. LTD. v. DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT

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