Chennai: Madras high court on Wednesday censured Enforcement Directorate (ED) for issuing summons to film producer Akash Bhaskaran in connection with the suspected irregularities in Tasmac, in violation of court orders. “Such actions are unacceptable. The petitioner would be within his rights to file a contempt petition if he wished to pursue further legal remedy,” a division bench of Justice M S Ramesh and Justice V Lakshminarayanan said.When the plea came up on Wednesday, senior advocate Vijay Narayan, representing the petitioner, said despite the court’s earlier order, ED issued a notice regarding the documents through its appellate authority. Recording the submission, the court wondered how such a summons could be issued in violation of its directive. Responding to the query, counsel for ED submitted that the summons was issued inadvertently and not with the intent to defy the court’s order. The judges, however, remarked that the action did not appear to be a mistake, noting that the court was aware of the significance ED placed on the matter.In connection with the case, ED searched properties linked to film producer Akash Bhaskaran and businessman Vikram Ravindran, during which documents were seized. Pointing out that ED lacks the power to lock and seal a premises, HC directed ED to return the documents and restrained the agency from taking further action based on those documents.
