The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on the Enforcement Directorate’s plea regarding alleged interference by Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal police officials during a search at the Indian Political Action Committee’s office. The Solicitor General requested an early listing for next week, leading to the adjournment to May 22. The ED has accused Banerjee of obstructing a money laundering probe related to a coal smuggling scam.
The ED claimed that Banerjee, along with police personnel, disrupted the search at the I-PAC office. The agency seeks FIRs against Banerjee, the former DGP, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner. The Supreme Court had earlier expressed concerns over a Chief Minister’s alleged interference in an ongoing investigation, stating it could endanger democracy. The ED further alleged that its officials were obstructed and intimidated during the searches.
Mamata Banerjee denied the allegations, stating her presence was to retrieve party-related data. She mentioned that ED officials allowed her to retrieve certain data during the search. The Supreme Court had previously stayed FIRs against ED officials by the West Bengal Police and directed the preservation of CCTV footage from the searched premises. The matter is set for further hearing on May 22.
