Calcutta High Court Disposes TMC Data Protection Petition
The Calcutta High Court disposed of a petition filed by the Trinamool Congress on Wednesday. The TMC sought protection for its data following Enforcement Directorate raids earlier this month.
ED Confirms No Seizures During Raids
Justice Suvra Ghosh disposed of the plea after the ED informed the court it had not seized anything from the searched premises. The raids targeted the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its director Pratik Jain on January 8.
The TMC approached the high court fearing its confidential data could have been taken during these searches. The party argued that I-PAC served as its election consultant for six years. This long association meant sensitive political information was potentially at risk.
TMC's Limited Request for Data Protection
During the hearing, TMC representatives clarified their petition focused solely on data protection. Our petition is limited to the point that our personal political data be protected, they stated. The party expressed concern about potential bullying when filing such protective measures.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju represented the Enforcement Directorate in court. He repeatedly emphasized that nothing was seized during the search operations. Raju told the court the raids had nothing to do with the Trinamool Congress directly.
ED Accuses Mamata Banerjee of Removing Evidence
The ED made striking allegations during the proceedings. Agency representatives claimed that whatever was taken was taken away by Mamata Banerjee. They referred to the West Bengal Chief Minister's visit to the search sites during the raids.
Justice Ghosh observed that with the ED's submissions, nothing further remained to address in the TMC's petition. The court noted the Union of India's position supported this conclusion.
Separate ED Petition Adjourned
The high court also adjourned a separate petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate. This plea sought a CBI probe into events surrounding the January 8 raids. Justice Ghosh cited the ED's decision to approach the Supreme Court with similar prayers as reason for adjournment.
The ED alleges West Bengal Police obstructed its officials during the searches. The agency claims Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee entered both search locations and removed key evidence. This evidence reportedly included documents and electronic devices.
Matter Moves to Supreme Court
The ED has now moved the Supreme Court with allegations of obstruction by the West Bengal government. The agency seeks an independent CBI inquiry, arguing that alleged interference compromised its investigation.
The state government has filed a caveat in anticipation of the Supreme Court proceedings. This legal move ensures they receive notice before any orders are passed in the matter.
The court's disposal of the TMC petition concludes this particular legal battle. However, the broader conflict between central agencies and the West Bengal government continues at higher judicial levels.
