What Led the ED to Demand a CBI Investigation Against West Bengal's Chief Minister?

ED Seeks CBI Inquiry into Mamata Banerjee's Alleged Interference

New Delhi/Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a petition with the Calcutta High Court, requesting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The agency claims she, along with police officials, removed crucial documents from their custody during a raid at the residence of I-PAC director Pratik Jain.

In its legal filing, the ED accused the chief minister, who holds a constitutional position, of unlawfully obstructing a legitimate search under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) related to a money laundering investigation tied to an alleged coal pilferage scam.

The petition, reviewed by News Media, states that the incident resulted in a 'complete takeover' of the ED's search operation by state authorities.

According to the ED, during the authorized search, 'digital devices, electronic storage media, and key incriminating documents were forcibly removed, seized, concealed, and stolen from the lawful custody of ED officers by the Hon’ble Chief Minister with the aid of state police.'

Banerjee unexpectedly appeared at both the I-PAC office, which provides political consultancy to the Trinamool Congress, and Jain’s residence during the raids conducted on Thursday.

The ED has alleged 'direct' involvement from the highest political office and misuse of police authority, prompting the agency to request a CBI investigation. They urged the high court to instruct the CBI to file FIRs and investigate the entire situation, including the roles of the chief minister and police officials allegedly acting in collusion.

The agency emphasized that a CBI investigation is necessary, as both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court have consistently ruled that when influential individuals are implicated in cognizable offenses, the investigation should be handed over to the CBI.

Additionally, the ED has requested the immediate seizure, sealing, forensic preservation, and restoration of all digital devices, electronic records, storage media, and documents that were allegedly taken 'illegally and forcibly' from the search site.

The high court is anticipated to hear the petition next week.

On Thursday, the ED executed searches at the Salt Lake office of I-PAC and Jain’s residence in Kolkata as part of its investigation into the alleged coal scam-linked money laundering case. Additional searches were conducted at various locations in the state and in Delhi.

The petition states that Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma arrived at the premises during the search and was being briefed by ED officers when the chief minister entered. The agency claims its officers were obstructed from performing their lawful duties during the search at I-PAC’s Salt Lake office.

The ED contends that these actions constitute theft of evidence, criminal trespass, and destruction and concealment of material evidence, undermining the integrity of the criminal justice system.

In a press release on Thursday, the ED alleged that Banerjee entered Jain’s Loudon Street residence during the raids and 'took away key evidence,' later doing the same at the I-PAC office, despite explicit requests from officials not to interfere with the ongoing search.

'However, disregarding all law and order, Mamata Banerjee, with the assistance of police personnel, forcibly took possession of all digital devices along with key incriminating documents from the authorized officer and left the premises around 12:15 pm,' the ED stated.

'The search was thwarted, and no seizure was therefore possible. The search was terminated for security reasons and could not be concluded,' it added.

The ED claimed in its petition that approximately ₹20 crore in hawala funds, allegedly generated from coal pilferage in West Bengal, were funneled to I-PAC, which has been providing political consultancy to the TMC and the state government since 2021.

'Concrete material found during the investigation revealed that at least ₹20 crore worth of proceeds of crime was transferred to I-PAC through hawala channels,' the petition stated, adding that the funds were allegedly moved through a Mumbai-based angadiya firm that came under scrutiny during the ED’s investigation into the Delhi excise policy case.

The agency also alleged that ₹45 crore in kickbacks from the Delhi excise policy case were funneled for the AAP’s 2022 Goa Assembly election campaign, asserting that Jain managed I-PAC operations in Goa.

In response to the raids, I-PAC stated on Friday that the actions taken had established an 'unsettling precedent.' In its initial statement regarding the matter, the firm expressed its commitment to full cooperation.

'We believe this raises serious concerns and sets an unsettling precedent. Regardless, we have extended full cooperation and will continue to do so as required, engaging with the process in complete accordance and respect for the law,' it stated.

I-PAC further emphasized that it would continue its operations in an 'unfazed and unperturbed' manner, noting its professional advisory role with various political parties across different ideologies and regions, including the BJP, Congress, AAP, TMC, JD(U), and Shiv Sena.

'We do not contest elections or hold political office. Our role is limited to transparent and professional political consulting, uninfluenced by differences in political ideology,' the firm concluded.