ED’s FIITJEE Press Release Fails The Test: Delhi HC Records Unconditional Withdrawal
ED’s FIITJEE Press Release Fails The Test: Delhi HC Records Unconditional Withdrawal Reported By, Last Updated: June 19, 2026, 14:53 IST The development came in
ED’s FIITJEE Press Release Fails The Test: Delhi HC Records Unconditional Withdrawal Reported By, Last Updated: June 19, 2026, 14:53 IST The development came in on a petition filed by FIITJEE challenging the press release issued by the ED’s Lucknow Zonal Office on April 26 Rapid Read The Delhi High Court. (Image: Reprentative/PTI) The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) press release against FIITJEE appears to have had a shorter shelf life than many coaching institute crash courses. After facing judicial scrutiny, the agency unconditionally withdrew the statement, a move noted by the Delhi High Court in its order dated May 6, 2026. The development came in on a petition filed by FIITJEE challenging the press release issued by the ED’s Lucknow Zonal Office on April 26, 2025, following searches at the coaching institute’s offices in Noida and Delhi, as well as the residences of certain directors and officers.
FIITJEE had contended that the release was malicious, defamatory and based on assumptions rather than evidence. The institute argued that the allegations were purportedly founded on a “Preliminary Analysis Report" which, it claimed, did not exist. The petitioners also submitted that the press release violated the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Office Memorandum dated April 1, 2010, governing public communication in such matters. During hearings on March 18, 2026, the Delhi High Court heard detailed arguments and prima facie observed that the impugned press release appeared to be in contravention of the MHA memorandum. The Court subsequently granted time to the ED to decide whether it wished to revise the release or contest the matter on merits. Notably, despite maintaining that the allegations stemmed from a preliminary analysis of seized material, the ED acknowledged before the Court that no such Preliminary Analysis Report existed and was unable to prima facie substantiate the allegations contained in the release.
When the matter was taken up on May 6, 2026, counsel for the ED informed the Court that instructions had been received to unconditionally withdraw the press release. Recording the statement, the Court disposed of the petition. The Court also orally remarked that by withdrawing the release, the agency had averted the serious ramifications that could have followed had the Court been required to adjudicate the matter on merits. According to FIITJEE, the withdrawal vindicates its consistent stand that the allegations against the institution, its directors and officers were baseless and unsupported by evidence. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Principal Correspondent Ananya Bhatnagar, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court.
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