'Obstruction of raids, tampering with evidence...', ED moves SC against Mamata; levels several allegations

News Topical, Digital Desk : As the West Bengal Assembly elections draw closer, the state appears to be in turmoil. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the registration of an FIR against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, DGP Rajeev Kumar, and Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar.

The ED has filed two separate petitions in the Supreme Court in the political consultancy firm I-PAC case, levelling serious allegations against Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar and Kolkata Police Commissioner (CP) Manoj Verma.

Demand for FIR against Mamata Banerjee and officials 

The ED has alleged that senior state officials, including the Chief Minister, obstructed the ongoing money laundering investigation against I-PAC. Furthermore, the ED stated that the state machinery tampered with and destroyed evidence. In its petition, the ED stated that the law enforcers themselves became complicit in the crime.

It is noteworthy that last Thursday, ED had raided the office of I-PAC and the residence of its director Prateek Jain in Kolkata and conducted a search operation in the coal smuggling case.

ED made allegations

The ED has alleged that when the raid was going on at the residence of I-PAC chief Prateek Jain, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, DGP and Police Commissioner forcibly entered inside with a heavy police force.

Investigating officers were intimidated, held hostage, and had important documents, mobile phones, hard drives, and laptops confiscated from them. The agency described this as a deliberate attempt to influence the investigation. 

Allegations of obstructing I-PAC investigation

In its petition filed in the Supreme Court, the ED alleged that state officials obstructed the investigating agency's right to conduct an impartial investigation into the case. The ED also demanded a CBI inquiry.

The ED also claimed that during the hearing of the case in the Kolkata High Court, the state government used its machinery to create a ruckus in the court, forcing the judge to adjourn the hearing.

Petition filed in the Supreme Court

The agency has appealed to the Supreme Court to transfer the investigation of the entire incident to the CBI. The ED has demanded that an FIR be filed against the Chief Minister and top police officials. The police want to know exactly what transpired before and after the ED officials arrived at Prateek's home on the morning of January 8th.

BJP raised questions

BJP has raised questions on the manner in which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached the I-PAC office during the raid in Kolkata and left with a green file in her hand.

BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya has asked why the car she arrived in and the one she left in don't have the same number plates. What's in the green file? It's been revealed that the car Mamata Banerjee left in was a party car, while the one she returned in was a government car.

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