The Union Home Ministry has stepped into a major confrontation between central agencies and the West Bengal administration, seeking detailed reports from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) regarding a dramatic series of events in Kolkata on Thursday. The incident unfolded during ED searches at the office of political consultancy I-PAC and the residence of its chief, Pratik Jain, as part of a probe into an alleged multi-crore coal pilferage scam.
Sequence of Events and Conflicting Claims
According to agency officials, the operation took a contentious turn when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the premises with state police personnel. The ED has alleged that she and her team "forcibly took away digital devices and key incriminating documents" that were seized during the search. Officials from the central probe agency have already submitted their version of events in a report to the Union Finance Ministry.
On the other side, the Kolkata Police have lodged a suo motu First Information Report (FIR) against unidentified ED and CRPF personnel. The charges include trespassing and obstruction of government servants during the search at Pratik Jain's residence. Police claim their officers were prevented from entering the premises for hours and that force was used against a Deputy Commissioner and his team.
Protocol Breach and Security Concerns
Sources within the Kolkata Police highlighted a significant breach of protocol, stating that no prior intimation was given to the local police about the raids, contrary to standard practice. They further claimed that the ED officials did not present a search warrant when asked for identification by uniformed officers stationed outside Jain's house. Instead, the ED personnel reportedly asked for the police officers' IDs and even pushed a police sergeant.
In the wake of the high-tension standoff, CRPF sources indicated that the security detail for ED officials operating in the state may be stepped up soon. This move underscores the escalating tensions between central investigative agencies and the state government machinery in West Bengal.
Ongoing Probe and Political Fallout
The Enforcement Directorate has maintained that its actions were legally sanctioned and part of an ongoing investigation into a substantial coal pilferage scam. The search at I-PAC's office, a key political strategy firm, has added a significant political dimension to the probe. The Home Ministry's intervention to seek reports from both central forces points to the seriousness with which the central government is viewing the direct confrontation between its agencies and the state police.
The incident marks a new low in the relations between the Trinamool Congress-led state government and central agencies, setting the stage for further legal and political battles. The reports sought by the MHA will likely determine the next course of action from the Union government.
