Vacancies at PMLA appellate tribunal: Supreme Court issues notice

KEY TAKEAWAYS

On Friday, the Supreme Court released a notice in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting orders to fill long-standing vacancies in the Appellate Tribunal for the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (ATPMLA).

The case referred to in this matter was Amit Sahni v. Union of India heard by a three-judge bench, comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice MR Shah.

The vaccines were said to cause, 'immense hardships' Accordingly, a note has been given, which can be returned in four weeks. The petitioner has been required to submit a transcript of the plea to the division of the Solicitor General. 

FURTHER DETAILS & IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS 

The petition was filed by Advocate-Activist Amit Sahni, through Advocate Preeti Singh, alleging that the ATPMLA, which deals with critical and crucial issues relating to the PMLA, the NDPS Act, FEMA, SAFEMA, etc., is struggling to provide justice, especially in the absence of its Chairman and three others. Members out of authorized power of four, with acute shortages of administrative personnel.

It is reported that one member of the Tribunal was vacant in 2018 and that the term of office of the Chairman and two members expired in 2019 and that the ATPMLA has been compelled to work with its single member.

The very purpose of the Constituting Tribunals is to augment the duties of the High Courts and the other Courts and to ensure that the recipient of justice provides timely redress to his claims. Owing to the vast number of positions that have not been filled, improvement in the operation of the Tribunal is delayed.

Madras Bar Association v. Union of India & Anr. was the chief precedent referred to in this scenario, wherein the Supreme Court had ordered the Central Government to set up a Committee of the National Tribunal for the selection of members of the various Tribunals.

The petitioner subsequently claimed that Sahni had submitted a number of RTI notifications seeking advice on appointments at the Tribunal, which indicated that, apart from the position of Chairman, three out of four members were not selected.

Furthermore, there have been few openings since 2016 and several shortages since 2008. He has made representations to the Government for the accelerated recruitment of positions at the Tribunal, but no action has been taken by the State on the same till date. 

THE ATPMLA HAS BEEN SEEKING SUCH DIRECTIVES FROM THE GOVT. SINCE A REALLY LONG TIME AND AFTER SUCH A GRIND THEY RECEIVED THIS ORDER. WHT IS THE GOVERNMENT PUTTING OUT A DEAF EAR TOWARDS SUCH ORGANISATIONS?! LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!