Congress has accused the governing BJP of using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as an “Elimination Department” to target political opponents. The accusation came after the Indian Supreme Court reportedly said that the agency should “not create fear” among those it is investigating.

At the heart of the issue is the ED’s investigation into the alleged financial irregularities in the National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) scam. The Congress party has criticized the investigative agency for its handling of the case, which it says has been politically motivated.

The ED has already made a number of high-profile arrests in connection with the ongoing investigation, including that of the vice-chairman of NSEL. The agency has also seized assets worth several hundred crores of rupees, including those owned by a number of NSEL board members.

Congress leaders have also accused the BJP of using the ED to target its political opponents. They pointed to the case of Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who was arrested by the agency earlier this year in connection with a money-laundering case. Bhujbal is widely regarded as a close aide of Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar, who is an ally of Congress.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh recently wrote to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to ensure that the ED does not become a “tool of vindictiveness on political opponents.”

Political observers say the move by Congress to attack the government over the issue could be a sign of the increasing bitterness between the two parties. The BJP recently defeated Congress in the elections in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.after forging a pre-poll alliance with the Shiv Sena.