The Supreme Court has put a stop to the FIRs filed by the West Bengal Police against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials. This action comes after recent searches at the offices of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the home of its co-founder, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata. The Court noted concerns about alleged state agency interference in a central investigation.
The Bench, led by Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi, has issued notices to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other officials. The ED had raised complaints of obstruction during the search operations. Respondents have been given two weeks to submit their counter-affidavits, with the next hearing scheduled for February 3.
In an interim order, the apex court has instructed the preservation of CCTV footage and other recordings from the searched locations. The Court emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law to prevent potential lawlessness in states. The petitions highlight significant issues regarding ED investigations and alleged state government interference.
The ED has urgently sought judicial intervention, citing resistance faced by its officials during the searches. The agency alleges that West Bengal authorities hindered their duties, compromising the integrity of the investigation. Additionally, the ED has requested action against senior West Bengal Police officials for allegedly obstructing the probe and aiding in the removal of evidence.
