The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding alleged interference by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during recent search operations. The matter was adjourned to February 18 due to senior advocate Kapil Sibal’s ill health. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, informed the court about Sibal’s inability to appear.
The ED has sought directions for FIRs against Mamata Banerjee, the state DGP, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner for obstructing lawful duties during search operations. In response, Banerjee denied the allegations, stating her presence was to retrieve confidential data of her party, Trinamool Congress. She visited the locations to safeguard sensitive political data crucial for the upcoming elections.
Banerjee’s counter affidavit emphasized that she requested the ED officials to allow retrieval of the party’s data and devices during the searches. The affidavit highlighted that the searches were conducted peacefully after she retrieved the necessary items. Banerjee also criticized the ED for alleged mala fide intentions and questioned the timing of the operations, suggesting they were aimed at accessing critical political documents.
