Kolkata Police Scrutinize ED's I-PAC Raid for Procedural Lapses
The Kolkata police have intensified their investigation into last week's Enforcement Directorate raids at locations connected to the election management firm I-PAC. Teams are now working diligently to identify and potentially summon the officials who conducted these search operations.
Focus on Raid Locations and Timeline
The police probe centers on two specific locations raided by the ED on January 8. These include the I-PAC office in Salt Lake's Sector V and the Loudon Street residence of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain. While the ED claims these raids are part of a Rs 3,000 crore illegal coal mining investigation, the West Bengal government has labeled the action a "political heist" aimed at stealing the Trinamool Congress's election strategy.
First Information Reports have been registered at both Shakespeare Sarani and Bidhannagar police stations. These FIRs cite sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. According to sources, Kolkata police are adopting a methodical approach to counter the central agency by focusing on procedural violations and potential criminal charges.
Evidence Collection and Witness Statements
Police investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage and digital video recorders seized from the raid locations. Their primary objective is to identify every ED official and CRPF personnel present during the operations. On Tuesday, Bidhannagar police recorded detailed statements from I-PAC staff members and building security guards who witnessed the events.
Kolkata police sources reveal that notices have been sent to residents living near Loudon Street. These notices aim to establish a precise timeline of when ED officials arrived and how they conducted themselves during the raid.
Protocol Verification and Judicial Developments
A senior police officer confirmed they are verifying whether the ED team followed proper protocol. Specifically, they are checking if Assistant Director Prashant Chandila's team produced valid search warrants and identification documents before local authorities. Police are also investigating why ED officials allegedly waited several hours after arriving at the scene before informing local police via email.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma stated the investigation is proceeding "strictly as per the law." However, he declined to provide further comments, citing the sub judice nature of the case during a recent press conference.
Meanwhile, the confrontation between state authorities and the central agency has reached the judiciary. The ED has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking restoration of documents and electronic devices it claims were "forcibly removed" by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her aides during the search operations. The agency further alleges that Banerjee personally entered the search premises and took away key evidence including hard disks and physical files. The court will hear petitions from both the ED and TMC on Wednesday.
