Kolkata:
In a major legal escalation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court of India, urging the apex court to intervene and ensure that a case is registered against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other senior officials over alleged obstruction of its investigation into a significant money-laundering probe.
The central agency’s petition, filed as a writ before the Supreme Court, alleges that Mamata Banerjee, along with the West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, unlawfully interfered with ED officers who were conducting search operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) case.
The ED has accused the state machinery of obstructing, tampering with, and destroying evidence related to the multi-state money laundering probe. In its plea, the agency contends that its officials were prevented from completing searches, and key evidence – including digital devices and documents – was allegedly removed from premises during the operation.
Given the claimed involvement of the highest levels of the state executive, the ED has sought directions for an independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), arguing that approaching the state police to register an FIR would be ineffective because the accused control that machinery.
The confrontation stems from events last week during the ED’s search operations in Kolkata linked to alleged coal smuggling proceeds and financial irregularities involving I-PAC, a political consultancy firm. The agency maintains its investigation is targeted at tracing proceeds of crime worth crores of rupees linked to the firm’s activities.
The move to the Supreme Court follows the Calcutta High Court deferring hearings earlier this month due to disruptions and overcrowding in the courtroom, which forced judges to adjourn proceedings. This prompted the ED to escalate the matter directly to the top judicial forums
In its petition, the ED has also accused Mamata Banerjee of creating a pattern of interference whenever central investigative agencies probe cases involving her party or its associates, citing past instances where investigations were allegedly obstructed.
The West Bengal government, anticipating the ED’s move, has already filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, requesting that its version of events be heard before any interim orders are passed.
This legal face-off marks a significant escalation in tensions between a central probe agency and a state government, with far-reaching implications for federal legal processes and the autonomy of investigative bodies in politically sensitive cases.
