(1.) This hearing has been done in physical Court. Hybrid mode is permitted in cases where permission is being sought from the Court.
(2.) Vide order dtd. 28/9/2021, this Court had noticed, from the affidavit filed by the Ministry of Finance, that the quantum of work at the Adjudicating Authority under the PMLA is substantial, however there is an acute shortage of staff members and there are vacancies at the level of the Chairperson, Member (Administration) and Member (Law). This Court had also noticed that the positions of the Administrative Officer, Registrar and the Court Master are all vacant as well. Accordingly, keeping in mind the need of the Adjudicating Authority to function in an efficient manner, the following directions were issued:
(3.) Today, Mr. Mahajan, ld. CGSC, appearing for the Respondents submits that a communication in respect of the said status has been received on 29/11/2021. The said communication dtd. 29/11/2021 from the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue (ES Cell), giving the status of the various appointments which are to be made at the adjudicating authority, has been shown to the Court. The same reads as under: