The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved the Supreme Court by filing an Article 32 petition, alleging that its investigation into the I-PAC-linked coal smuggling case was obstructed by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, the agency has claimed that state authorities curtailed its right to conduct a fair and independent investigation. The ED has alleged that interference by the state police and administration amounted to obstruction of justice and compromised the integrity of its probe.
In its petition, the ED detailed what it described as a “showdown” during search operations at premises linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC, which has worked with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on election strategy. The agency claimed its officials were prevented from lawfully carrying out searches and seizing material relevant to the coal smuggling investigation.
According to the ED, documents and electronic devices were forcibly removed from the premises in the presence of senior state officials during the searches.
The petition comes amid escalating legal and political tensions between the central agency and the TMC-led West Bengal government. The ED has argued that such interference undermines its statutory powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Bengal Government Files Caveat
Anticipating the ED’s move, the West Bengal government filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, seeking to ensure that no order is passed without hearing the state. The caveat aims to prevent any interim relief being granted to the ED without the state’s version being placed before the court.
The dispute stems from ED raids in Kolkata at locations linked to I-PAC as part of its probe into an alleged multi-crore coal scam. The agency has claimed that proceeds of crime worth nearly ₹10 crore were routed to I-PAC through hawala channels and that the firm was paid by the Trinamool Congress for services during the 2022 Goa Assembly elections.
Calcutta High Court Defers Hearing
On Friday, the ED approached the Calcutta High Court seeking registration of an FIR against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly obstructing its search operations. However, hearings were deferred after both a single-judge bench and a division bench led by the acting Chief Justice postponed proceedings until after January 14.
In response, the Trinamool Congress and I-PAC filed counter-petitions in the High Court, rejecting the ED’s allegations. They maintained that the documents seized during the raids were related solely to election planning and campaign strategy and therefore fell outside the scope of the PMLA.
The party accused the ED of attempting to access confidential political material under the guise of an investigation. Separate complaints were also filed by the family of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain alleging theft of documents during the searches—claims the ED has denied, stating that its actions were lawful and followed due process.
Kolkata Police Probe
Amid the legal tussle, the Kolkata Police have begun identifying ED officials accused of stealing documents during raids at Pratik Jain’s residence and office after FIRs were lodged.
Police officials said CCTV footage, DVR data and witness statements are being examined and notices will be issued once identification is completed. Cases have been registered under criminal, trespass and Information Technology Act provisions, and investigations are ongoing.
With the matter now before the Supreme Court, the standoff between the central agency and the West Bengal government has entered a critical phase.
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