India, Oct. 17 -- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Bombay High Court's order declaring the arrest of former Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) chief Anilkumar Pawar as illegal and ordering his immediate release from jail.

ED sources said they have also requested the apex court to stay the high court order during pendency of their Special Leave Petition (SLP) and the plea has been posted for hearing on Friday. ED officials, however, refused to divulge details about the SLP or the grounds on which they have challenged the high court order.

On Wednesday, the high court strongly criticised ED for arresting the IAS officer, calling the action arbitrary, illegal and unsupported by ...