ED Tells Supreme Court West Bengal CM Obstructed I-PAC Searches
Enforcement Directorate alleges in Supreme Court that West Bengal CM obstructed I-PAC raids, terming it abuse of power.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday told the Supreme Court of India that there had been a “gross abuse of power” in the alleged obstruction of its searches at premises linked to Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) in West Bengal. The central agency accused functionaries of interfering with its investigation and preventing officials from carrying out lawful proceedings.
Appearing before the bench, the ED submitted that its teams were obstructed while conducting raids related to an ongoing money-laundering probe. The agency claimed that actions on the ground amounted to deliberate interference and sought the court’s intervention to ensure that its officers could discharge their duties without intimidation or hindrance.
The matter has taken a political turn, with allegations indirectly touching upon the office of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. While the ED did not formally name the chief minister as an accused in the case, it argued that state machinery was allegedly used to frustrate the central agency’s operations.
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Counsel representing the West Bengal government contested the ED’s claims, maintaining that law and order was handled appropriately and that no unlawful obstruction had taken place. The state government has accused the Centre of misusing investigative agencies for political purposes, a charge frequently raised by opposition parties in similar disputes.
The Supreme Court is now examining whether any directions are required to safeguard investigative processes while ensuring that federal principles are respected. Legal experts note that the case underscores ongoing tensions between central agencies and opposition-ruled states, particularly in high-profile financial investigations.
The court is expected to hear further arguments before deciding on the next course of action, including possible guidelines to prevent alleged interference in future enforcement proceedings.
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