ED Moves Calcutta High Court. The agency told the court that Mamata Banerjee and senior TMC leaders obstructed PMLA raids and removed crucial evidence while officers were conducting searches at the residence of I-PAC chief Prateek Jain.
Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) approached the Calcutta High Court, claiming it encountered obstacles while conducting raids on the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) as part of an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The case was presented before Justice Suvra Ghosh, who allowed it to be filed.
ED counsel requested an urgent hearing, stating that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the residence of I-PAC chief Prateek Jain and removed critical evidence while the raids were taking place.
The ED further alleged that Mamata Banerjee and other leaders from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) obstructed the investigation during the agency’s simultaneous raids at the I-PAC office.
The agency reported executing raids at ten locations, including six in Kolkata and four in Delhi.
The ED stated,
“During the search, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Kolkata, and the Officer in Charge of Sarani Police Station arrived at one of the sites to verify the officials’ identities. Shortly thereafter, the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, along with several officers, also entered the premises. They were briefed about the proceedings by the Authorized Officer, who showed his identity card,”
The ED added,
“Proceedings were being conducted in a peaceful and professional manner until West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee arrived with a significant number of police officials. Ms. Banerjee entered Prateek Jain’s residence and took away key evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices. Her convoy then moved to the I-PAC office, where she, her aides, and state police personnel forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidence,”
These actions, the ED claims, have obstructed the ongoing investigation and proceedings under the PMLA.
The agency clarified that the searches are evidence-based and not aimed at any political establishment,
“No party office has been searched. The search is not linked to any elections and is part of a regular effort against money laundering. The searches are conducted strictly in accordance with established legal safeguards.”
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Mamata Banerjee referred to the ED raids at I-PAC as “most unfortunate.”
She stated,
“They are trying to collect all the information. I rang up Pratik, who is in charge of my party,”
She questioned,
“I have collected the party file. The ED is trying to get details of all our party activities and plans. They are trying to get the candidate list and our internal information. Is it the duty of the ED and Amit Shah?”
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