ED Seeks CBI Inquiry into Mamata Banerjee's Alleged Interference in I-PAC Raids

Enforcement Directorate's Legal Action

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court, requesting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into allegations that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee obstructed its recent raids at the offices of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), as reported on Sunday.

As of now, the Supreme Court has not yet scheduled a hearing on this issue.

The ED's petition is filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, which permits individuals to seek enforcement of their fundamental rights directly from the Supreme Court if they believe those rights have been violated.

On Thursday, the ED conducted 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 the Posta area, in connection with an investigation into suspected money laundering.

I-PAC has been instrumental in managing the Trinamool Congress' election campaigns, including the 2021 Assembly elections.

During the raid, Banerjee arrived at Jain's residence around noon and remained there for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. She emerged holding a green file, alleging that officials from the central agency were 'taking away' documents related to the party ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The state is anticipated to hold elections within the next three to four months.

Banerjee accused the ED of seizing crucial documents and hard drives containing information about the party's candidates for the elections.

The raids were initiated based on a first information report filed by the CBI regarding an alleged coal smuggling operation that involved the illegal extraction of coal from Eastern Coalfields Limited's leasehold areas in West Bengal, according to the ED.

In its Supreme Court petition, the ED claimed that Banerjee's actions disrupted a legitimate investigation into coal smuggling and accused her of removing essential evidence.

The locations of the raids reportedly turned chaotic, resembling a 'showdown' due to the alleged unlawful interference by state authorities, as cited by the ED.

The agency has requested the Supreme Court to issue orders preventing Banerjee and state officials from hindering its investigation.

Notably, the West Bengal government has also approached the Supreme Court to ensure that no ex parte orders are issued without its prior hearing.

Previously, both the Trinamool Congress and I-PAC filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court challenging the legality of the searches conducted at locations associated with the consultancy in Kolkata and Bidhannagar.

The ED has also sought legal recourse, alleging 'illegal interference' during its search operations.

During the High Court proceedings on Friday, Justice Suvra Ghosh had to rise from her chair due to the disorder in the courtroom before she could address the petitions from both the ED and the Trinamool Congress.

The judge has scheduled the next hearing for January 14.

In the meantime, the West Bengal Police have filed first information reports against the ED following two complaints lodged by Banerjee.