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The Delhi High Court has directed filling up of all vacant posts in the office of the Adjudicating Authority under the Prevention of Money laundering Act. As per the affidavit filed by the office of the Enforcement Directorate, there are three vacant posts of Members for administration, law and accountancy, respectively. 

The single judge bench of Justice Pratibha M Singh, who was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the freezing order by the Directorate of Enforcement, also directed that steps be taken to fill the said posts on an expeditious basis. 

On a previous date, the Delhi High Court had directed the HQ Department of Revenue to file an affidavit on the status of appointments made. 

The court, while pursuing the said affidavit, noted that as far as the posts of Members, Administration and Law, were concerned, vacancies had been advertised and the meeting of the Selection Committee was to be held. 

The counsel appearing for the Centre apprised the court that the meeting is likely to be held shortly and that the Union of India was also interested in filling up these posts on an expeditious basis. 

Court also noted that as per the affidavit, the Registrar had fallen under the category of abolished. Moreover, it noted that an application was moved by the Department of Expenditure with the UPSC for revival of the proposal of the said post. 

Since the main petition was dismissed as withdrawn, the present order of the Delhi High Court would be placed before the Division Bench which is hearing the LPA titled "Directorate of Enforcement v J.K. Tyre and Industries". The Respondent was also directed to place before said Division Bench, a status report on the appointments to the vacant seats 

Court directed that if it is felt that a Registrar is needed, the respondent would move an appropriate application reviving the post within a period of 4 months from the date of the order. 

Cause Title:- Alok Industries Limited v Assistant Director, Enforcement Directorate WP(C) 680/2021