ED Vs I-PAC Case: Mamata Questions ED’s 2-Year Wait Before Raids on I-PAC Ahead of Elections
ED–I-PAC clash reaches SC; Mamata questions 2-year delay in raids as ED alleges obstruction by Bengal officials.
The Supreme Court is currently considering a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which accuses the West Bengal government including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of obstructing its investigation and searches carried out at the I-PAC office and at the home of its director, Pratik Jain. The ED has accused the state administration, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, of obstructing its investigation and search operations targeting political consultancy firm I-PAC and its director, Pratik Jain.
Ahead of the hearing, the ED urged the court to suspend West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar, alleging that he and other senior officials prevented the agency from carrying out searches at Jain’s residence. In response, the state government submitted a caveat requesting that no interim order be issued without hearing its side, especially concerning the contentious searches on the consultancy’s premises.
ED Alleges Interference in Search Operations
During the proceedings, the Solicitor General argued that the agency had been hindered in executing its lawful duties. The ED told the Supreme Court that Banerjee “had the courage” to take incriminating material and then attribute blame to the agency for wrongdoing. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated, “The ED officials had shown their identity cards. They had the courage to take incriminating material in their custody, which is theft, and then publicly declare they did it? This is not happening for the first time. Please do something that stops once and for all.”
The bench described the matter as serious and said it would consider arguments from both sides before issuing directions.
Mamata Questions Timing of Raids:
Opposing the ED’s narrative, the Chief Minister’s camp questioned the timing of the sudden push by the federal agency. The raids, which came two years after the investigation began, coincided with the run-up to state elections. Representing Banerjee, senior advocate Kapil Sibal asked why the ED had waited so long before descending on Bengal.
Sibal argued, “We are disturbed by what is happening. Why did the ED wait for two years to come to Bengal? This is just to create prejudice. The ED was already there and the Chief Minister came at 12 pm and left at 12:15 pm (on January 8).”
The confrontation has sparked debate over whether the raids were investigative necessities or politically loaded actions timed for electoral impact. With both sides firmly entrenched, the Supreme Court’s examination of the competing claims is expected to shape the next phase of this high-profile battle.
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