Kolkata : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court again, alleging that Trinamool Congress supporters attempted to hijack proceedings over the agency’s raids on political consultancy firm, I-PAC, in Kolkata last week. The ED went to the Supreme Court, alleging that its investigation into the I-PAC coal scam case was obstructed by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The agency sought a CBI probe into the incident, claiming that its “right to conduct a fair and independent investigation has been curtailed by the state machinery”. The ED has detailed a sequence of events in its petition, describing what it termed a “showdown” during search operations conducted at premises linked to I-PAC, which has been engaged in forming election strategy for the Trinamool Congress.
The agency has also alleged that physical documents and electronic devices were forcibly removed from the premises in the presence of senior state officials. The ED has argued that interference by state authorities, including police personnel, amounted to obstruction of justice and compromised the integrity of its probe. In another plea filed by three ED officers who were a part of the searches, the agency alleged that the West Bengal government “obstructed” their duties.
The plea, filed against the West Bengal government, Banerjee and the state’s DGP, sought the withdrawal of the FIRs filed by the police against these officials. Anticipating the ED’s move, the West Bengal government filed a caveat in the Supreme Court. A caveat is a formal request seeking that no order be passed in a matter without hearing the concerned party.
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