The Enforcement Directorate has moved the Supreme Court alleging that the West Bengal government, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, obstructed its probe during searches at the I-PAC office and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) approached the Supreme Court, alleging that the West Bengal government, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been obstructing its probe during searches at the I-PAC office and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata.
This investigation is linked to a money-laundering case involving coal pilferage. Reports indicate that the ED claims state officials interfered with its operations, disrupting an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The agency’s petition seeks the Supreme Court’s involvement to facilitate an uninterrupted investigation into the purported transfer of hawala funds associated with the coal scam to the political consultancy firm I-PAC, which has collaborated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Simultaneously, the West Bengal government filed a caveat in the Apex Court, requesting that no orders be issued without considering its position in the matter. A caveat, as per Section 148A of the Code of Civil Procedure, ensures that the court does not grant any ex parte orders against a party without allowing it an opportunity to respond.
The ED’s plea follows its recent application to the Calcutta High Court, wherein it sought a CBI probe into alleged interference during its searches by the state police and senior officials. The agency earlier claimed that Chief Minister Banerjee had entered the search site and removed vital evidence, breaching search protocols.
This situation arises after the ED conducted searches at various locations related to I-PAC and Pratik Jain in Kolkata on January 8.
These actions were part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged multi-crore coal pilferage scandal. The ED has asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allegedly intruded during the raid, taking away significant evidence, including documents and electronic devices. Banerjee, however, has firmly rejected these charges and accused the central agency of overstepping its bounds.
Earlier, On January 9, the ED additionally approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI investigation against Banerjee. The agency alleged that the Chief Minister, aided by the state police, disrupted search procedures and removed incriminating materials during the operation at Pratik Jain’s residence.
The ED has requested the High Court to order the immediate seizure, sealing, and forensic preservation of the digital devices and documents purportedly taken from the site. The petition also asks for interim measures to prevent access to, deletion of, or tampering with the seized data.
Moreover, the ED has claimed that local witnesses, known as panch witnesses, were hijacked by state officials and coerced into stating that the search was uneventful and that no incriminating evidence was found.
The petition argues,
“The witnesses were made to record false statements contrary to the true facts.”
Banerjee has countered these allegations, accusing the ED of functioning as a political tool for the BJP to “steal” her party’s internal strategies.
Earlier, On Friday, she led a ten-kilometer protest march from Jadavpur to Hazra Crossing in Kolkata, asserting her innocence, she proclaimed during the rally,
“I intervened as the TMC chairperson, not as chief minister. They came to steal my party data. I will expose everything if needed,”
The proceedings at the Calcutta High Court took an unexpected turn on January 9 when Justice Suvra Ghosh left the courtroom due to overcrowding.
The matter is anticipated to be addressed again on Wednesday, January 14, after the court closes for the weekend.
Case Title: Directorate of Enforcement v. State of West Bengal