What’s Behind the ED's Call for CBI Probe into Mamata Banerjee's Alleged Interference?

ED Seeks CBI Inquiry into West Bengal CM's Alleged Obstruction

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a petition with the Calcutta High Court, requesting a CBI investigation into West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and several senior police officials for allegedly hindering its operations in Kolkata against the political consultancy firm I-PAC and its director.

According to the writ petition reviewed by a news agency, the ED is also demanding the immediate seizure and forensic preservation of all digital devices, electronic records, and documents that were reportedly taken from the search locations without authorization.

The high court is set to hear this petition on Friday.

The ED conducted searches on Thursday at the I-PAC office in Salt Lake and at the residence of its founder, Pratik Gandhi, as part of an investigation linked to a money laundering case associated with a coal scam. Additional locations in the state and Delhi were also targeted.

In a statement released on Thursday, the ED accused Banerjee of entering Jain's residence in Kolkata during the raids and allegedly removing crucial evidence, a similar action reportedly occurred at the I-PAC office.

The agency claims that approximately Rs 20 crore in Hawala funds, allegedly linked to coal pilferage in West Bengal, was funneled to I-PAC, which has been providing political consultancy services to the TMC and the state government since 2021.

"Evidence gathered during the investigation indicates that at least Rs 20 crore of illicit funds were transferred to I-PAC through Hawala channels," the petition stated.

"To further trace the proceeds of crime and their utilization, a search operation was initiated against I-PAC and other related entities in connection with the coal smuggling case," it added.

The petition also noted that the chief minister entered the premises despite a clear request from ED officials not to interfere with the ongoing search under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

"In violation of all legal protocols, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, aided by police personnel, forcibly seized all digital devices and key incriminating documents from the authorized officer and departed the premises around 12:15 PM," it claimed.

The ED further alleged that the witnesses present were effectively coerced by the respondents, including the state of West Bengal and the chief minister, to falsely state that the search was conducted peacefully and that nothing was recovered, rather than accurately documenting that the digital devices and key documents were forcibly taken.

The agency asserted that its officials were obstructed from fulfilling their legal responsibilities.

Additionally, the ED has requested the high court to issue an interim order to prevent any access, deletion, cloning, or tampering with the seized digital devices and electronic records.