I-PAC raid: ED moves Calcutta High Court, demands CBI probe against Mamata Banerjee

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), while approaching the High Court, alleged that the West Bengal Chief Minister, with the aid of the police, took away incriminating documents from the agency's custody during a raid at I-PAC director Pratik Jain's home.

In a petition before the court, the federal probe agency also alleged that the CM, a constitutional functionary, illegally interfered with and obstructed a lawful search operation conducted under the PMLA at the residence of the political consultancy firm's director in a money laundering case linked to an alleged coal pilferage scam, reported PTI. 

As reported by news agency PTI, the writ petition states that these actions by the West Bengal Chief Minister led to a "complete takeover" of its search operation by the "state machinery".

ED claims Mamata Banerjee removed key evidence during the raid

The Enforcement Directorate further alleged that during lawful search proceedings, "digital devices, electronic storage media, and key incriminating documents were forcibly removed, seized, concealed, and stolen from the lawful custody of ED officers by the Hon'ble Chief Minister with the aid of state police."

Earlier on Thursday, the West Bengal Chief Minister unexpectedly arrived at the office of the I-PAC, which provides political consultancy to the ruling party. 

The federal probe agency further stated that there was "direct" involvement of the highest political executive and abuse of police power during the raid to tamper with the evidence. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) further demanded a CBI probe into the matter.

ED demands CBI probe

The Enforcement Directorate has further urged the Calcutta High Court to "direct the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register FIR(s) and investigate the entire incident, including the role of the present respondents being the chief minister, police officials, and all persons acting in concert," as reported by news agency PTI. 

The agency added that a probe by the CBI was essential, as both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court have consistently held that where the "high and mighty" in the state are involved in the commission of cognisable offences, investigation ought to be transferred to the CBI.

The ED also sought "immediate seizure, sealing, forensic preservation, and restoration to lawful custody of the ED" of all digital devices, electronic records, storage media, and documents "illegally and forcibly" that were taken away from the search premises.

Calcutta High Court to hear the petition next week

The ED conducted a search at the Salt Lake office of I-PAC and the Kolkata residence of Jain on Thursday as part of its probe into the alleged coal scam-linked money laundering case. Some other locations in the state and Delhi were also raided.

The central agency's petition said that during the search operations, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma came and was being briefed by ED officers about the search proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) when the CM entered the premises.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee forcibly entered the premises

It claimed the chief minister entered the premises despite a "categorical request being made (by ED officials) not to interfere with the ongoing search proceedings under PMLA."

The agency also said, "However, violating all law and order, Mamata Banerjee, with the aid of police personnel, forcibly took possession of all digital devices along with key incriminating documents from the possession of the authorised officer and left the premises around 12:15 PM," as per PTI. 

(With inputs from PTI)

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