The Delhi High Court on Tuesday has adjourned its hearing till October 7 in a plea seeking a direction to the Centre to appoint the chairperson to the PMLA Appellate Tribunal so that the petitioner’s pending appeal can be decided expeditiously.
A single-judge bench of Justice Rekha Pall slammed the Centre for the status report filed, on the filling of vacancies of Appellate Tribunal, PMLA, however, in the interest of justice, granted it 2 weeks’ time to file a fresh status report, clearly stating the time frame in which the respondents propose to notify the rules and fill up the posts of chairperson and members of the tribunal.
Justice Palli observed there was no seriousness exhibited by the Centre to make Appellate Tribunal, PMLA functional.
Justice Palli:
“What is this? Is this the kind of status report to be filed? It reads nothing! Who is the person who has filed this? It only talks about the Rules. It does not say what you’re doing. When are you appointing? Whom are you appointing? That is what is meant to be a status report, not this.”
On August 5, 2021, the Delhi High Court had directed the Centre to file a status report, regarding the process for appointment of the Chairperson and members of the Appellate Tribunal, PMLA, furthermore, directing the Centre to make an endeavour to ensure that the Appellate Tribunal is made functional.
The petition has been filed and argued by Advocate Jagdeep Sharma. The next date of hearing is October 7.
Fullerton-Order