Calcutta High Court Imposes Strict Restrictions for ED-I-PAC Hearing
The Calcutta High Court has implemented significant restrictions for today's hearing on petitions filed by the Enforcement Directorate and the Trinamool Congress. These measures come directly in response to the chaotic scenes that unfolded in the courtroom last Friday.
Justice Suvra Ghosh's courtroom became so overcrowded that the scheduled hearing had to be adjourned. The situation grew unmanageable, forcing the court to postpone the matter until January 14.
New Courtroom Protocol Announced
To prevent a repeat of last week's disruptions, the Registrar General of the Calcutta High Court issued a formal notice outlining new procedures. The notice clearly states that only the counsels directly involved in the case will be permitted inside the courtroom during the proceedings.
Only senior counsels, their assisting counsels, and the advocates on record representing both parties will gain physical entry to Court No. 05. This strict limitation aims to ensure orderly conduct during what promises to be a closely watched legal battle.
Live Streaming Arrangements
The court has made special arrangements for public access to the hearing. The entire proceeding will be live-streamed online for anyone wishing to follow the developments.
"If anybody (except the Petitioner & the Respondent) wants to participate in the Court proceeding of that particular matter, may join virtually," the court's notice explicitly states. The live stream will also be recorded for future reference and archival purposes.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The petitions before the court stem from raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate on January 8. The central agency targeted both the residence of I-PAC chief Prateek Jain and the offices of the political consultancy firm.
Following these raids, the ED approached the Calcutta High Court with serious allegations. The agency claims it faced deliberate hindrances during its investigation from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and local police officials.
The ED further alleges that crucial evidence, including both physical documents and electronic data, was removed from the premises before investigators could secure it properly.
Simultaneously, the Trinamool Congress filed its own petition with the court. The political party alleges that the Enforcement Directorate seized confidential party documents during the raids, documents that the TMC claims have no connection to the investigation.
Previous Legal Maneuvers
After Justice Suvra Ghosh adjourned the matter last Friday due to courtroom chaos, the Enforcement Directorate pursued multiple legal avenues. The agency first approached the acting chief justice of the Calcutta High Court, requesting an urgent bench to hear the matter promptly.
When this request was not accepted, the ED escalated the matter to the Supreme Court. The agency has filed two separate petitions with the apex court, while the Trinamool Congress has filed a caveat to ensure they receive notice of any proceedings.
These Supreme Court matters remain pending as the Calcutta High Court prepares to hear the original petitions under its new restrictive protocols.
The courtroom restrictions represent a practical response to logistical challenges while maintaining transparency through virtual access. Today's hearing will test whether these measures can facilitate a smooth judicial process for this politically sensitive case.
