The Supreme Court is set to hear the Enforcement Directorate’s plea on Wednesday regarding alleged interference by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during search operations at the office of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its co-founder in Kolkata. The ED had expressed feeling “terrorised” in West Bengal during a previous hearing, refuting claims of weaponizing its powers.
Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju, representing the ED, denied allegations of weaponization, stating that the agency had been terrorized. The matter, scheduled for March 18, involves the ED seeking directions to file FIRs against Mamata Banerjee, the state DGP, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner for allegedly obstructing lawful duties during search operations. Chief Minister Banerjee has refuted the allegations, stating her presence was to retrieve party data.
The ED’s plea seeks FIRs against Mamata Banerjee and others for alleged obstruction during search operations. Banerjee, in her response, denied interference, stating her visit was to retrieve party data. She accused the ED of mala fide intent and questioned the timing of the searches. The Supreme Court had earlier stayed FIRs against ED officials by the West Bengal Police and directed the preservation of evidence.
