"What the hell is going on in this country?” asks Supreme Court

New Delhi: Hard on the heels of a withering attack on the conduct of the Union government in the appointment of PJ Thomas as Chief Vigilance Commissioner, another bench of the apex court grilled the government over the progress made in the investigations into the multi-billion dollar money laundering and tax evasion case, which involves chief accused Hasan Ali.

"What is in the way of taking action against Hasan Ali," the court questioned the Centre. "How many years will investigations continue against Ali?" it added.

In a dramatic move the apex court also ordered immediate reinstatement of three key Enforcement Directorate officials who were transferred midway through the probe into foreign exchange law violation by Pune businessman Hasan Ali Khan.

A bench of justices B Sudershan Reddy and SS Nijjar also indicated that should the government fail to act it would be compelled to appoint a special officer for supervising the probe against the offenders, agencies reported.

The apex court also queried why custodial interrogation of Hasan Ali and other alleged black money launderers had not yet taken place. It said the matter was serious and they would not brook any delay.

It also asked the government not to treat LGT Bank account holders as mere tax evaders but investigate their source of black money.