The Supreme Court of India is set to examine a significant constitutional question: whether the Enforcement Directorate (ED) possesses the authority to invoke Article 226 of the Constitution to file writ petitions before High Courts. This crucial legal debate stems from separate petitions filed by the State Governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, challenging a Kerala High Court order that affirmed the ED's 'locus standi' (legal standing) to file such petitions. On January 20, 2026, a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma issued notice to the ED, seeking its response on the appeals filed by the two states. The core contention put forth by Kerala and Tamil Nadu is that the ED, being a department of the Central Government, is not a 'juristic person' entitled to independently seek constitutional remedies under Article 226, which is typically invoked by individuals or entities seeking enforcement of rights or for other purposes against the state. The controversy originated in the context of the politically sensitive Kerala gold smuggling case. The State of Kerala had constituted an Inquiry Commission to probe allegations that ED officials coerced accused persons to implicate political leaders, including the Chief Minister. The ED subsequently filed a writ petition in the Kerala High Court, challenging this state-appointed commission. The High Court, however, upheld the ED's right to do so, ruling that as a statutory authority, it was entitled to file writ petitions under Article 226. This Supreme Court examination is pivotal as its ruling will not only clarify the legal personality and powers of central investigative agencies like the ED but also have far-reaching implications for Centre-State relations, particularly in matters involving politically charged investigations. The apex court has issued notice, returnable within four weeks, but has not granted any stay on the Kerala High Court's order at this stage. The outcome will redefine the operational autonomy of central agencies and the interplay between constitutional articles governing disputes between the Union and states.