SC slams Mamata over I-PAC raid, warns democracy could be jeopardized
SC slams Mamata over I-PAC raid, warns democracy could be jeopardized
SC admonishes CM Mamata Banerjee for interrupting an ED raid at I-PAC’s co-founder’s home, saying a sitting chief minister cannot storm a site as Bengal heads to polls.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday slammed Mamata Banerjee for interrupting an ED raid at I-PAC's co-founder Pratik Jain's home in January, saying such actions by a chief minister undermine democracy. The bench noted that an elected leader cannot storm the premises during an investigation and warned that this was not a happy situation for the country. The court's comments come as the ED's petition seeks a CBI probe into money-laundering allegations against Banerjee and her associates, drawing into focus the intersection of law, politics, and the upcoming electoral battle in West Bengal. The case has become a political flashpoint since Banerjee entered Jain's residence during the operation, with the central agency alleging that key evidence was removed. The hearing, which continued into March, occurred against the backdrop of two-phase elections scheduled for April 23 and April 29, where the Trinamool Congress faces the BJP as the principal contest. The court referenced constitutional luminaries Seervai and Ambedkar, stressing that no one, not even a chief minister, should weaponize official machinery to influence investigations. As the ED pushes for a probe, the courtroom atmosphere signaled heightened scrutiny of the intersection between governance and legal processes in a politically charged state. Observers say the remarks underscore the judiciary's intent to safeguard due process while elections loom large, potentially shaping the political narrative in Bengal over the coming weeks.
