In a case that highlights friction between federal and state machinery, the Supreme Court on Tuesday takes up the Enforcement Directorate’s explosive petition accusing West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of meddling in a money laundering probe. The raid targeted political consultancy firm I-PAC’s premises and co-founder Prateek Jain’s home in Kolkata, but allegedly devolved into chaos due to state intervention.
Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul M. Pancholi head the bench revisiting the matter. ED’s filing seeks criminal action against Banerjee, DGP Rajeev Kumar, and Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal for impeding the search under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Background reveals a dramatic confrontation. ED sleuths claim they were mobbed, threatened, and blocked by state police and locals during the operation. The top court had earlier halted a counter-FIR by state police against ED personnel, deeming it a serious challenge to central authority.
Directing the accused parties to file responses within a fortnight, the bench emphasized safeguarding evidence like CCTV recordings. It cautioned against the perils of state overreach, potentially sparking lawlessness across regions.
ED’s counsel, SG Tushar Mehta, painted a vivid picture of ‘thugs’ overpowering democratic processes, with officers manhandled and duties thwarted. Defending the state, Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued the Supreme Court intervention was premature, pointing to ongoing Calcutta High Court petitions on identical issues.
This showdown arrives amid ED’s aggressive scrutiny of political figures in West Bengal, fueling accusations of vendetta from the ruling Trinamool Congress. The verdict could redefine boundaries of cooperation in enforcement actions, impacting future raids and probes in politically charged environments.
