Kolkata: The Supreme Court is currently hearing a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in connection with a controversial raid at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its co-founder, Pratik Jain.
In the petition, the ED alleged that Mamata Banerjee obstructed the raid, tampered with evidence, and even took away files and a mobile phone belonging to an ED officer present at the site. The agency has demanded suspension of senior police officials, including West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, claiming they colluded with the Chief Minister to interfere with the investigation.
Details of the Allegations
The ED has claimed that during the I-PAC office and Pratik Jain’s residence raid, West Bengal government officials, allegedly in coordination with Mamata Banerjee, impeded the search and allegedly assisted in the theft of crucial evidence. The agency has also urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) to direct the suspension of the involved officers.
The petition notes that DGP Rajeev Kumar, while serving as Kolkata Police Commissioner, had previously participated in sit-ins alongside Mamata Banerjee, suggesting a history of interference. ED’s counsel, Tushar Mehta, informed the Supreme Court that its officers faced intimidation during the raid, preventing them from performing their duties independently.
Supreme Court Proceedings
The bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Sharma and Vipul M. Pancholi is hearing the case. Tushar Mehta highlighted that Mamata Banerjee personally went to the I-PAC office, intimidated ED officers, and obstructed the investigation. He urged the Court to suspend the DGP and other implicated police officers. When asked if suspension should be ordered, Mehta recommended that competent higher authorities be directed to take immediate action.
References to Past Incidents
The ED also called for a departmental inquiry, citing a recurring pattern of obstruction in West Bengal. Mehta referred to an earlier incident where CBI officers attempting to question the Kolkata Police Commissioner were allegedly detained, with Mamata Banerjee participating in a sit-in in support of the Commissioner. He also mentioned the January 9 hearing at the Calcutta High Court, where proceedings were disrupted by a large crowd, forcing the judge to leave.
The Supreme Court is continuing to hear the matter, and the ED has requested urgent judicial intervention to ensure the integrity of its ongoing investigation.
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