ED Moves Supreme Court Alleging Interference By WB CM Mamata Banerjee In I-PAC Probe

The Enforcement Directorate has moved the Supreme Court of India under Article 32 of the Constitution, alleging interference by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in its investigation into the I-PAC coal scam.

The plea follows events from last week when ED officials were conducting searches at the office of Indian Political Action Committee or I-PAC in Kolkata in connection with the probe. During the operation, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allegedly reached the I-PAC office along with senior party leaders and confronted ED officials. The ED has also alleged that the Chief Minister took away certain files from the premises during the raid, which it claims further impeded the investigation.

According to the ED, the Chief Minister's presence at the search site and the alleged removal of documents had an intimidating effect on officers and seriously compromised the agency's ability to discharge its statutory functions independently. The agency has alleged repeated obstruction and non-cooperation by the state administration.

Prior to approaching the Supreme Court, the ED had moved the Calcutta High Court in relation to the same incident, seeking protection and appropriate directions. The High Court adjourned the matter and is scheduled to hear it on January 14.

The West Bengal police has also registered an FIR against ED officers.

In its Article 32 petition before the Supreme Court, the ED has sought directions for an independent inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation, contending that a neutral central agency is necessary in view of the alleged interference by the state executive.

Meanwhile, the ruling All India Trinamool Congress has denied the ED's allegations and has also approached the Calcutta High Court in connection with the raids. The TMC has alleged that the ED action against the I-PAC, the election consultant of the party, was a nefarious exercise aimed at accessing confidential election strategy material.

The party has maintained that I-PAC functions as its election strategist and that the central agency's action was intended to disrupt its electoral preparations rather than pursue any bona fide investigation.