The Enforcement Directorate Thursday moved the Calcutta High Court, alleging it faced hindrance while conducting raids on I-PAC in connection with an ongoing investigation and proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The matter was mentioned before the bench of Justice Suvra Ghosh, which allowed it to be filed.
ED counsel said they have sought an urgent hearing, adding that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached the house of I-PAC chief Prateek Jain and took away crucial evidence while the raids were underway.
ED also alleged that Mamata Banerjee and other leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) hindered the investigation when it went to the I-PAC office, where they were simultaneously conducting raids.
The agency informed the court that raids were being conducted in 10 locations, including six in Kolkata and four in Delhi.
“During the search, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Kolkata and Officer in Charge of Sarani Police Station came to one of the premises along with 01 personnel to verify the identity of the officials. The Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, also entered the premises shortly thereafter along with several officers of Kolkata Police. They were briefed about the proceedings by the Authorised Officer, who also showed them his identity card,” ED said in a statement.
“Proceedings were being conducted in a peaceful and professional manner till the arrival of West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, along with a large number of police officials. Ms Banerjee entered the residential premises of Prateek Jain and took away key evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices. The CM’s convoy then proceeded to I-PAC’s office premises, from where Ms Banerjee, her aides, and the state police personnel forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidence,” ED said.
“The above actions have resulted in obstruction in ongoing investigation and proceedings under the PMLA. It is clarified that the search is evidence-based and is not targeted at any political establishment. No party office has been searched. The search is not linked to any elections and is part of a regular crackdown on money laundering. The search is conducted strictly in accordance with established legal safeguards.”
Mamata Banerjee called the ED raids in I-PAC “most unfortunate”. “They are trying to collect all the information. I rang up Pratik, who is in charge of my party,” she said.
“I have collected the party file. ED is trying to get details of all our party activities and plans. They are trying to get the candidate list and our internal information. Is it the duty of ED and Amit Shah?” she asked.