The Supreme Court on Thursday scolded the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for going too far by raiding Tamil Nadu’s state-run liquor shops. The court said the ED was violating federal rules and asked the agency to stop its actions for now.

The ED had raided TASMAC (the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) in March and again last week. It claimed there was corruption in liquor transport, bar licences, and that officials were working with distilleries and bottle companies to make illegal money. The agency also said it found ₹1,000 crore in unaccounted cash and other suspicious data.

But the court, led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, said the ED was acting beyond its powers, especially by targeting state-run corporations. “Your ED is crossing all limits!” the judge said, putting a hold on further action until after the court’s vacation.

The Tamil Nadu government, run by the DMK, had asked the court to stop the ED after the Madras High Court allowed the raids. The state argued that the ED was acting with political motives. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal told the court the ED even copied private mobile data during the raids.

After the raids, Tamil Nadu’s Excise Minister S Muthusamy hit back, saying the ED was harassing officials without solid proof. He called the raids part of a political vendetta and said the DMK government fully supports its staff.

The timing is important, as Tamil Nadu will have Assembly elections next year. The opposition BJP has accused DMK minister V Senthil Balaji of being involved in the liquor scam, calling him the "kingpin". Balaji denied all charges and said TASMAC works transparently, with no special treatment given to any brand.