The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding alleged interference by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during recent search operations at the office of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and its co-founder’s residence in Kolkata. The matter is listed before a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Sandeep Mehta, as per the cause list on the apex court’s website.
Last week, the hearing was adjourned after the Solicitor General representing the ED requested time to respond to the West Bengal government’s counter affidavit. The bench, led by Justice Mishra, postponed the hearing to February 10. The ED, in its petition, seeks FIRs against Mamata Banerjee, the state DGP, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner for allegedly obstructing lawful duties during the search operations.
Chief Minister Banerjee, in her counter affidavit, refuted the allegations of interference, stating her presence at the premises was to retrieve confidential data related to her party’s strategies for the upcoming elections. She claimed that she requested and was allowed by ED officials to retrieve the party’s data and devices. Banerjee argued that the ED’s actions were malicious and questioned the timing of the searches, alleging a lack of statutory compliance.
