Mamata Banerjee Files Complaints Against ED Amid Controversial Raids

Chief Minister's Action Against Enforcement Directorate

On Friday, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, took a significant step by lodging two police complaints against the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This action follows the agency's recent searches at various locations in the state, including the office of the political consultancy I-PAC, which occurred the previous day.

A police official revealed that both Kolkata and Bidhannagar Police have initiated investigations based on the complaints filed by Banerjee.

This development coincided with the detention of Trinamool Congress MPs by Delhi Police while they protested outside the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging illegal searches conducted by the ED. The MPs were later released from the Parliament Street police station.

On Thursday, the ED executed searches at I-PAC’s office located in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area, as well as at the residence of its head, Pratik Jain, and a trader's office in Posta. These actions are part of an investigation into suspected money laundering activities.

I-PAC, known as the Indian Political Action Committee, has been instrumental in managing the election campaigns for the Trinamool Congress, including the 2021 Assembly elections.

Banerjee arrived at Jain’s residence around noon during the ongoing search and stayed for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. She emerged with a green file, alleging that ED officials were unlawfully seizing party documents ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

With elections anticipated in the next three to four months, Banerjee accused the ED of confiscating crucial documents and hard drives containing information about party candidates.

Conversely, the ED claimed that Banerjee entered Jain’s residence and removed essential evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices. They asserted that the searches were conducted in a peaceful manner until her arrival and emphasized that their operations were evidence-based, not politically motivated.

On Friday, Banerjee filed one complaint against unidentified ED officials and Central Reserve Police Force personnel at the Shakespeare Sarani police station regarding the searches at Jain’s residence. A second complaint was lodged against unidentified ED officials at the Electronic Complex police station concerning the I-PAC office searches.

According to a police officer, the complaint at Shakespeare Sarani was filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which includes charges of criminal intimidation, theft, and criminal trespass, as well as under Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, which addresses computer-related offenses.

Similar charges were included in the FIR related to Banerjee’s second complaint. Additionally, the police initiated a suo motu case against the ED at the Shakespeare Sarani police station on Thursday evening.

The ED's searches were based on a first information report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation regarding an alleged coal smuggling syndicate involved in the illegal excavation of coal from Eastern Coalfields Limited leasehold areas in West Bengal.

Following the ED raids, both the Trinamool Congress and I-PAC approached the Calcutta High Court to challenge the legality of the searches conducted at various locations associated with the consultancy in Kolkata and Bidhannagar.

The ED also sought court intervention, alleging illegal interference during their search operations.

During the court hearing on Friday, Justice Suvra Ghosh faced chaos in the courtroom before addressing the petitions from both the ED and the Trinamool Congress. The matter has been scheduled for a hearing on January 14.

Mamata Banerjee Joins Protest Against ED Actions

On the same day, Banerjee participated in a protest rally against the ED's actions, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party should not govern India. She emphasized the need for the Opposition to secure victory in Delhi following the Assembly elections in West Bengal.

Defending her presence at Jain’s home during the ED raids, Banerjee stated that she had every right to protect herself and reiterated her claims of the theft of confidential data.

“My actions were taken as the chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress,” she stated. “I did nothing wrong… Why did they [ED] come like thieves? They were stealing our party’s confidential data from the I-PAC office, which we had authorized.”

Banerjee also warned that she would disclose confidential information about the BJP if she faced further targeting.