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Politics
Karnataka HC Rules ED Cannot File Private Complaints, Quashes Cases Against Congress MLA
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 07 Nov 2026, 04:44 PM
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The Karnataka High Court held that the Enforcement Directorate lacks authority to lodge private complaints when other agencies decline to act, and it dismissed the ED’s cases against Congress MLA K.Y. Nanjegowda of Malur.
The Karnataka High Court clarified that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) does not possess the power to file a private complaint if other investigative agencies have chosen not to pursue the matter. The bench emphasized that the ED’s jurisdiction is limited to cases where it has received a formal request from a competent authority or where a prima facie offence is established.
In its judgment, the court observed that allowing the ED to act as a "super cop" by filing private complaints would upset the balance of investigative powers among law‑enforcement bodies. The decision reiterates that the agency must rely on information provided by other agencies rather than unilaterally initiating action.
The ruling also led to the dismissal of two pending ED cases against K.Y. Nanjegowda, a Congress legislator from the Malur constituency. The court found that the complaints lacked sufficient basis and that the ED had not followed the procedural safeguards required for such prosecutions.
Legal experts say the verdict may curb the ED’s aggressive approach in recent years and could prompt a review of its investigative protocols across the country.
In its judgment, the court observed that allowing the ED to act as a "super cop" by filing private complaints would upset the balance of investigative powers among law‑enforcement bodies. The decision reiterates that the agency must rely on information provided by other agencies rather than unilaterally initiating action.
The ruling also led to the dismissal of two pending ED cases against K.Y. Nanjegowda, a Congress legislator from the Malur constituency. The court found that the complaints lacked sufficient basis and that the ED had not followed the procedural safeguards required for such prosecutions.
Legal experts say the verdict may curb the ED’s aggressive approach in recent years and could prompt a review of its investigative protocols across the country.