The Calcutta High Court is set to hear urgent pleas from both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the political consultancy firm I-PAC, following dramatic raids conducted by the central agency. The developments unfolded after the ED searched the office and residence of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain, leading to allegations of obstruction and a planned protest march by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Court Moves and Allegations of Obstruction
The Enforcement Directorate approached the high court alleging significant obstruction and interference in its investigation. The agency claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at Pratik Jain's residence in South Kolkata during the raids. According to the ED, she and her aides removed crucial evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices, from the premises.
In a separate petition, I-PAC challenged the legality of the searches conducted by the central probe agency. The case has been mentioned before Justice Suvra Ghosh, and the hearing is expected to be scheduled on Friday.
CM's Protest and Claims of Political Targeting
On the same day as the anticipated court hearing, CM Mamata Banerjee has announced a protest march against the ED's actions. She alleged that the raids were an attempt by the central agency to seize internal documents, hard disks, and sensitive election strategy data belonging to her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The ED's operation was extensive, covering 15 locations across six states on Thursday. The raid at Jain's residence was part of a money laundering probe linked to an alleged scam involving illegal mining and political connections. Simultaneously, the search at the I-PAC office was connected to the alleged fake government job scam.
The Role of I-PAC and Escalating Tensions
I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee) is the principal political consultant for the TMC and also manages the party's IT and media cell. The ED further alleged that after visiting Jain's home, Banerjee proceeded to the I-PAC corporate office in Salt Lake, where she, along with police and aides, forcibly removed documents and electronic evidence.
The agency has urgently sought the high court's intervention to ensure its investigation can proceed without any further hindrance. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the West Bengal government and central investigative agencies.
The upcoming court hearing on Friday is poised to be a critical juncture in this high-stakes legal and political confrontation, with potential ramifications for the ongoing probes and the state's political climate.
