Kolkata Police have launched a formal process to identify Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel who are allegedly involved in the theft of documents. This incident occurred during ED searches conducted on January 8 at two locations linked to I-PAC chief Pratik Jain.
Police Launch Investigation Based on FIRs
The move by the local police on Saturday, January 13, comes in the wake of two First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The complaints were filed at the Shakespeare Sarani police station in south-central Kolkata and the Electronic Complex police station in Salt Lake. Investigators are now meticulously collecting and analyzing Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage from both the searched locations.
The importance of this video evidence has been underscored after the ED itself sought a court order to freeze the recordings. A police source confirmed that the digital video recorder (DVR) from the Loudon Street building has already been seized and sent to a forensic laboratory. This step is crucial to help establish the identities of individuals allegedly involved in a scuffle with Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Priyabrata Roy.
Gathering Evidence and Recording Statements
The investigation is proceeding on multiple fronts. The facility manager of the Loudon Street building has been asked to submit the names of employees who were on duty on the day of the raid, January 8. Police officers from Shakespeare Sarani police station visited Jain's residence on Saturday morning to collect the CCTV footage and DVR recordings.
Statements from Pratik Jain and his family members will be recorded as required by the procedure. The police have already spoken to guards and a housekeeper who were present during the search operation. They also plan to question the maintenance staff on Sunday. In Salt Lake, the Bidhannagar police commissionerate is preparing to question I-PAC employees who were present at the Sector V office during the simultaneous search.
"Once we identify the central agency personnel, notices will be issued as required for their statements. Every step will be taken according to the law and will be strictly need-based," the police source added.
Recap of the January 8 Search Operation
The controversy stems from searches conducted by two ED teams around 6:30 AM on January 8. The teams reached Pratik Jain's residence on Loudon Street in central Kolkata and I-PAC's office in Salt Lake's Sector V. The raids were linked to an alleged coal smuggling case.
Local police stated they arrived at the Loudon Street location after receiving information around 9:00 AM but were allegedly denied entry. An altercation ensued where a police sergeant was allegedly pushed, followed by DCP Priyabrata Roy, who police claim was manhandled. The ED has denied these allegations.
The situation escalated further when Police Commissioner Manoj Verma reached the Loudon Street site. He was followed shortly by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself. In a dramatic turn, CM Banerjee personally removed documents, files, and laptops from Jain's residence while the ED action was still ongoing.
Political Ramifications and Concerns
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has raised serious concerns over the ED's access to confidential party material during the search. The party alleges that the seized documents included sensitive information related to the Summary Revision of the electoral rolls, which contains booth-level agent details. Furthermore, documents pertaining to preparations for the 2026 Bengal Assembly elections were also reportedly accessed by the central agency, raising questions about political confidentiality and the scope of the investigation.
The case has now evolved into a significant point of contention between the state government and central agencies, with the Kolkata police's investigation into the conduct of ED officials adding a new layer to the ongoing political and legal tussle in West Bengal.
