India, Oct. 15 -- The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday extended its interim order restraining the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from taking any coercive action, including search, seizure or further investigation, against the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) in connection with an alleged liquor retail scam in the State.

The Supreme Court questioned whether the ED's actions could amount to encroaching on the state's investigative powers, even as Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, alleged that corruption "is being sought to be concealed behind arguments of federalism".

"Would it not amount to encroachment upon the right of the state to investigate? In every case, when you find that the state is not investi...