NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday sought directions from the Supreme Court for registering an FIR against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banarjee, the DGP and the Kolkata Police Commissioner for “obstruction of investigation, tampering and destruction of evidence in a money laundering case against I-PAC in several states”.Reiterating the need for an FIR, the anti-money laundering agency said “law enforcement officers became involved in a serious cognizable offense” by “intimidating and threatening ED officials and seizing files and electronic evidence containing incriminating material.”
The central probe agency also said it had approached the Calcutta High Court for the CBI probe into the incident, but “the influence wielded by the CM and her supporters was used to create a ruckus in the courtroom, forcing the judge to adjourn the hearing”.The ED on Saturday moved the Supreme Court over interference and obstruction by the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government in search operations at the Kolkata headquarters of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its director Pratik Jain. Later, the state government filed a caveat demanding a hearing before passing any adverse order.The Bengal government’s reservation came after the ED conducted searches at I-PAC’s office and Jain’s residence on Thursday as part of a money laundering probe in connection with an alleged multi-crore-rupee coal heist scam. A caveat allows a party to ensure that no order is made without giving them an opportunity to present their case.The ED has blamed this chief minister Mamata Banerjee invaded the raids and confiscated so-called “important” evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices. Banerjee rejected the allegations and accused the central authority of exaggerations.The entire controversy erupted after CM Mamata Banerjee stormed into I-PAC director Pratik Jain’s house during the raid and accused the Center of seeking political vendetta and alleged that central authorities were being misused ahead of elections.Banerjee reacted sharply to the action and questioned the role of the ED and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She claimed that party documents and data were being confiscated under the pretext of investigations. She also alleged that voters’ names were deleted in West Bengal during the ongoing special intensive audit, linking the moves with the electoral process.
