Delhi High Court Seeks Status Of Appointments Of Chairperson & Members In Adjudicating Authority Under PMLA

The Delhi High Court has sought status of appointments for Chairperson, Member (Administration) and Member (Law) in Adjudicating Authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Justice Pratibha M Singh had earlier directed Centre for filling up the vacancy positions within a period of three months and 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.  

Pursuant to this, the Centre had filed a report highlighting the status of the various appointments which were to be made at the adjudicating authority.

According to the report, it was stated that a Selection Committee met on 28.09.2021 and recommended one officer for the post of Chairperson.

For Members, it was stated that a Vacancy circulars were published in the Employment News for which last date for applying for the posts is 7th December, 2021. 

It was also stated that one Amar Singh, an officer of CBDT, was given the additional charge of Administrative officer till the filling of regular vacancy.

"Let the status of the appointments set out above, be placed on record by way of an affidavit with the latest updates, by 15th December, 2021," the Court directed.

The matter will now be heard on December 21.

Previously, the Court had observed that there was an acute shortage of staff members in the Adjudicating Authority.

The Court had also noticed that the positions of the Administrative Officer, Registrar and the Court Master were vacant as well.

"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 had said.

Title: ALOK INDUSTRIES LIMITED v. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORATE

Click Here To Read Order