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ED tells Supreme Court that Mamata Banerjee allegedly stole an officer’s phone and removed documents during the I-PAC raid, raising questions about political interference, obstruction, and the fate of crucial evidence in a high-stakes investigation.
ED says crucial materials were seized during raids
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the petition of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging her interference during raids at the I-PAC headquarters and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata on January 8.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, alleged that Banerjee, along with top police officials, entered the premises during search operations linked to a coal-smuggling scam. Mehta claimed that the Chief Minister even took away an ED officer’s mobile phone and addressed the media at the site, hampering the investigation.
ED files SLP in Supreme Court in West Bengal I-PAC search row; Full story here
He stated that despite informing local police about the incriminating materials, the DGP, Police Commissioner, area DCP, and multiple police personnel arrived, seizing evidence without proper authority. Mehta described this act as a crime of theft and warned that such interference could demoralize central agency officers.
The ED urged the Supreme Court to set a precedent by suspending officers present at the raid and order a departmental inquiry. Justice Mishra questioned whether the court should order the suspension of officials involved, signaling judicial scrutiny of the claims.
In response, the West Bengal government filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, seeking that no order be passed without giving it a hearing. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Kalyan Banerjee represented the state. The TMC has denied ED’s allegations, asserting that the raid was politically motivated and aimed at obtaining confidential election-strategy documents from I-PAC.
WB: CM Mamata Banerjee rushes to I-PAC Chief house during ED raid in Kolkata
The ED claims that Banerjee’s presence at the sites and the alleged removal of documents and devices intimidated officers and hindered the agency’s statutory functions. The central agency further alleged repeated non-cooperation and obstruction by the state administration, requesting a CBI-led independent inquiry.
The January 8 raids formed part of a money-laundering probe linked to a multi-crore coal pilferage scam. Banerjee reportedly reached the I-PAC office with senior TMC leaders during the search and allegedly removed documents. The West Bengal Police has filed an FIR against ED officials in retaliation, highlighting a federal standoff between central and state authorities.
The Supreme Court is expected to consider ED’s plea alongside the state’s caveat as the legal battle over the I-PAC raids unfolds.
