High Court in Madras orders investigation officer from ED to halt further inquiry, yet persists in continued investigation, prompting a court notice.

In a significant turn of events, the Madras High Court has ordered the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to return the seized materials and unseal the premises belonging to film producer Akash Baskaran and his associate Vikram Ravindran. The court's decision comes after the ED conducted raids in May 2025, in connection with an alleged ₹1,000 crore money-laundering scam involving Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC).

The court's order followed a contempt of court plea filed by Akash Baskaran, who argued that the Assistant Director issued a show cause notice to him even after the High Court had passed an interim order staying the probe against him. Akash Baskaran and Vikram Ravindran argued that the sealing of their properties lacked legal authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Division Bench of Justices MS Ramesh and V Lakshminarayanan issued a statutory notice to the ED Assistant Director Vikas Kumar returnable by September 17, 2025. The court also imposed a total fine of ₹30,000 cost on the ED for failing to file timely counter-affidavits in Baskaran's three petitions.

The High Court deemed the ED's actions as 'wholly without jurisdiction' due to the lack of incriminating evidence. The court's order in August 2025 came after the ED failed to file timely counter-affidavits in Baskaran's three petitions.

It is important to note that the ED had continued its money laundering probe against Baskaran despite a stay order by the High Court in June 2025. The ED proceeded to seal their residences and offices, a move that was challenged by Baskaran in court.

The case has been posted for further hearing on September 17, 2025. The next hearing date in the case against ED Assistant Director Vikas Kumar, related to the injunction suit filed by film producer Akash Baskaran, is on the same date.

This development marks a significant setback for the ED in its ongoing investigation into the money-laundering scam involving TASMAC. The case continues to be closely watched by both the public and the legal community.