ED seeks CBI probe after Mamata-linked I-PAC raids in Kolkata
ED seeks CBI probe after Mamata-linked I-PAC raids in Kolkata
The ED claims officers faced wrongful restriction during I-PAC raids and petitions the Supreme Court for a CBI probe, accusing top Bengal leaders of obstruction.
The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Supreme Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged obstruction during money-laundering searches at the I-PAC offices in Kolkata. The agency describes the incident as a case of wrongful restriction of its officers and asks for independent scrutiny of the events.
The ED’s petition outlines the January 8 raids conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act at the residence of I-PAC director Pratik Jain and at the I-PAC office, during which a large number of police personnel were present. It claims that officers were threatened, restrained, and prevented from completing the search, and that a trunk load of files and electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones in forensic extraction, were forcibly taken away.
In a move aimed at safeguarding its position, the West Bengal government filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to ensure it is heard before any interim orders are issued. The ED alleges that Mamata Banerjee, along with the state’s top officials, personally led a mob of senior officers to derail the investigation, a charge the petition says is a direct affront to the integrity of the PMLA probe.
The ED asserts that officers were driven to confine and obstructed from carrying out the search, and it seeks a transparent, independent inquiry through a CBI probe. The petition invokes Articles 14, 21, and 22 of the Constitution, arguing for protection of ED personnel and a fair investigation free from political interference.
This development signals a high-stakes clash between a central agency and a state government at a time of political sensitivity in West Bengal. Analysts say the Supreme Court’s response will shape whether a CBI investigation is warranted or if the ED must proceed with its case while facing potential political pushback. The wider implication could influence ongoing money-laundering inquiries tied to political consulting firms and the state’s governance narrative.
The episode underscores the broader friction within India’s federal framework between central authorities and state leadership as investigations intersect with electoral politics and governance dynamics. The I-PAC matter thus remains a flashpoint in ongoing discussions about accountability and the role of central probes in state affairs.
