Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday made serious allegations against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while presenting its case before the Supreme Court, accusing the state leadership of directly obstructing a central investigation linked to a massive money-laundering probe.
Appearing for the ED, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the apex court that officials of the federal agency were conducting a lawful search operation at the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm I-PAC when the situation spiralled dramatically. According to the ED, the Chief Minister, accompanied by senior state police officers, allegedly entered the premises during the operation and interfered with the proceedings.
The agency claimed that materials already seized by ED officials, including the mobile phone of an investigating officer, were forcibly taken away. The Solicitor General described the incident as unprecedented, arguing that such actions amounted to obstruction of justice and theft of evidence during an ongoing probe.
Mehta further urged the Supreme Court to take strong note of the incident and sought action against the state police officers involved, alleging that the state machinery was used to block a central investigation. He stressed that this was not an isolated episode and warned that such interference threatens the rule of law.
When the bench, led by Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, sought clarity on the nature of the investigation, the ED stated that the searches were linked to a ₹2,742-crore multi-state money laundering case involving illegal coal extraction and its alleged sale through private entities.
Taking note of the submissions, the Supreme Court said the matter appeared serious and indicated that it would issue notice to the West Bengal government, seeking its response to the allegations.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, questioned the intent and timing of the ED’s action, arguing that the raids were carried out after a long gap and just ahead of crucial elections, suggesting political motivation behind the probe.
Earlier this month, ED teams had searched I-PAC offices and the residence of its director in connection with the coal-related money laundering case. The searches triggered political turmoil in the state, with the Chief Minister publicly accusing the central agency of harassment and misuse of power. The Trinamool Congress later staged protests against the ED’s actions.
