New Delhi/Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court alleging obstruction during its January 8 search at the Kolkata office of I-PAC in a coal smuggling-linked money laundering probe.
The agency has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of intervening in the operation and using state machinery to halt the raid, a charge strongly denied by the Trinamool Congress.
The ED has filed a petition under Article 32 before the Supreme Court of India against the State of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee and others. The matter was heard by a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan.
Appearing for the agency, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the court that the ED had been “terrorised”, responding to allegations that central agencies were being “weaponised”.
The case pertains to a search conducted on January 8 at the Kolkata office of Indian-PAC Consulting Private Limited (I-PAC) in connection with an alleged coal smuggling money laundering case.
According to the ED, Mamata Banerjee entered the premises during the search operation and took possession of documents and digital devices. The agency has alleged that she halted the backup of computer data, removed CCTV storage devices and used her Z+ security detail in a coercive manner.
The ED claimed it was compelled to terminate the search to avoid physical confrontation. It has rejected Banerjee’s assertion that officers permitted her to take the material, terming the claim “untrue”.
The agency further told the court that its officers’ fundamental rights were violated, arguing that officials are entitled to move freely and discharge lawful duties without intimidation or obstruction.
The ED also dismissed the West Bengal Police’s claim that it was investigating armed impersonators. According to the agency, its officers had presented valid identity cards and search warrants at the time of the operation.
It argued there is no statutory requirement to inform the state police before conducting such searches.
The search warrant, the ED said, was issued in the name of Indian-PAC Consulting Private Limited. The agency has alleged that Rs 20 crore linked to illegal coal mining was routed through hawala networks, converted into cash in Goa and channelled into I-PAC’s operations.
The ED has urged the apex court to direct a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), contending that repeated obstruction by the state administration has hampered its investigation and led to what it termed “lawlessness” in West Bengal.
Earlier, the Calcutta High Court recorded the ED’s statement that it had not seized any material from the I-PAC office or its director, Prateek Jain.
The Trinamool Congress has denied the allegations, claiming that the raid was aimed at accessing election strategy material. Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police has registered an FIR against ED officers in connection with the episode.
The matter is now before the Supreme Court, where the ED has sought judicial intervention, citing intimidation and alleged misuse of state machinery.
