Shocking Supreme Court Clash: ED Alleges Mamata Interfered With I-PAC Raid

New Delhi: A sharp courtroom battle unfolded at the Supreme Court on Thursday as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of interfering in its recent search operations at the offices of political consulting firm I-PAC and the home of its chief, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata.

What did ED say?

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and ASG SV Raju, appearing for the ED, told the top court that the chief minister's conduct showed "a very shocking pattern" of barging into official proceedings and disrupting them.

"It reflects a very shocking pattern emerging. In past also, whenever statutory authorities exercised statutory power, CM barges into premises."

The ED says its searches were part of an ongoing investigation linked to alleged financial irregularities in a money-laundering and coal pilferage case.

The agency claims its officers were obstructed, intimidated, and even had documents and devices taken away during the course of the operation.

“Director, Commissioner accompanied her. They were accomplices. Officers sat on dharna with political leaders. One officer is personally aggrieved... Joint Director, CBI's house was gheraoed...stones were pelted,” said SG Mehta.

Why did this end up in the Supreme Court?

The ED has filed a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution asking the Supreme Court to intervene. It urged the court to direct the Home Ministry, the Department of Personnel & Training, and the West Bengal government to suspend senior police officials who, the ED claims, failed to support its lawful actions.

The Supreme Court Bench hearing the matter comprises Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Vipul Pancholi.

What happened in court?

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that the chief minister’s repeated entry into official raids undermines the rule of law. He said such conduct discourages statutory agencies from doing their work independently.

The Supreme Court also expressed concern over the chaos in the Calcutta High Court last week during a hearing related to the same raids, where proceedings were disrupted and had to be adjourned.

SG Mehta told the top court that "large number of advocates, others entered Calcutta high court while hearing our plea. This happens when mobocracy replaces democracy," to this, the Supreme Court replied, "We are very much disturbed with incidents in Calcutta high court."

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, said that "till 12.05, no seizure took place. Laptop of Pratik Jain would have all information about election. She (Mamata Banerjee) took laptop and personal Iphone. That's all. There was no obstruction. This is signed by ED... IPAC has party material, which is why ED went there. Completely malafide act by ED to gather as much material as they can."

“Series of data kept with IPAC. When they went there, they knew lot of data of party will be there. why was the need to go there in the midst of an election? Last statement in coal scam recorded on 24.02.2024. What were they doing since then? Why so keen in midst of elections? If you get hold of the information, how will we fight the elections? Chairman had right to go. Lies will be demonstrated if we show the video. We are also extremely disturbed. Why should ED go to a part of party office which has all information?” Sibal was quoted as saying.

The ED's petition stems from an incident on January 8 in Kolkata, when the agency was carrying out searches and Mamata Banerjee allegedly intervened, blocked the proceedings, and seized a mobile phone.