Fearing FIRs against officers attacked in Bengal, ED moves HC
Times of India | 11 January 2024
KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) approached the Calcutta high court on Wednesday seeking legal protection for its officers in West Bengal, amid concerns of potential FIRs by state police against the central agency's personnel who were assaulted in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district during a search on January 5 as part of a probe into the alleged Rs 550-crore ration scam.
The move coincided with a West Bengal police team's attempt to record the statement of an ED deputy director, which was thwarted as the officer was reportedly "preoccupied".
ED's counsel informed Justice Jay Sengupta the agency had come to know from media that police had lodged FIRs against Enforcement Directorate officers. "We have not received copies of the FIR yet... Police are coming to our office every day wanting to know names of the ED officers who went to Sandeshkhali," the counsel stated.
Justice Sengupta granted ED leave to file the petition, with the hearing scheduled for January 11. Also, a division bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam is set to hear a PIL on the matter this Thursday.
Basirhat DSP Sananda Goswami visited the ED office at CGO Complex with her security and a photographer to record the statement of a senior ED officer who had lodged a complaint regarding the attack. However, entry was granted only after her guard handed over his firearm to CRPF jawans. The attempt to record the statement was unsuccessful as the ED officer was reportedly busy.