The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has escalated its legal battle by approaching the Supreme Court of India, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged interference by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and state officials during recent searches at the offices of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata.
Legal Escalation to the Apex Court
On Sunday, the federal anti-money laundering agency filed a plea in the Supreme Court, requesting an investigation by the CBI into the events of Thursday, January 11. The ED is likely to mention the matter for an urgent hearing before the Chief Justice of India on Monday. This move comes after parallel petitions were filed by both the ED and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the Calcutta High Court.
Anticipating the ED's move, the West Bengal government has already filed a caveat in the top court. A caveat is a legal precaution ensuring that no order is passed without hearing the concerned party, in this case, the state administration.
Chaotic Scenes During and After Raids
The controversy stems from searches conducted by the ED at 10 locations linked to I-PAC, the firm managing the TMC's election campaign. The raids were part of a probe into an alleged coal smuggling and money laundering case, based on a 2020 CBI FIR.
The situation took a dramatic turn when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the residence of I-PAC director Pratik Jain while the searches were underway. She later emerged from the apartment carrying a laptop and a green folder. The CM also visited I-PAC's office and was seen taking out several files.
The ED, in its petition, has alleged that its officers were wrongfully restrained from performing their statutory duties. The agency further claims that digital devices and documents seized during the search were forcibly removed from its lawful custody.
Calcutta HC Adjournment and Allegations
The hearing on the related petitions in the Calcutta High Court was adjourned to January 14 by Justice Suvra Ghosh after chaos erupted in the courtroom on Friday. Both the ED and the TMC have sought the High Court's directions for the return of all documents taken during the incident.
The ED's Supreme Court plea is expected to mirror its High Court petition, which urged the court to direct the CBI to register an FIR and investigate the entire incident, including the role of the Chief Minister, police officials, and others. The agency maintains that its action against I-PAC was evidence-based and not linked to the upcoming elections.
In a press note issued on Thursday, the ED stated that its investigation had uncovered a hawala network through which crores of rupees, allegedly proceeds of crime from the coal smuggling case, were routed. The agency claimed I-PAC was among the entities linked to these financial transactions.
