Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the High Court, alleging that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee obstructed their investigation during a raid at the residence and offices of Pratik Jain, chief of political consultancy firm IPAC. The agency claimed that Banerjee, accompanied by state police personnel, forcibly removed laptops, phones, and multiple documents, disrupting searches linked to a coal smuggling and money laundering case. The matter is likely to be heard in court tomorrow.
Banerjee, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term in the upcoming assembly elections, has dismissed the raids as politically motivated and orchestrated by the BJP. She told reporters that the ED seized sensitive party data, election strategy documents, tax papers, and bank records, calling the act “an insult to the IT sector” and a “crime.” She warned that she would not remain silent if provoked and questioned whether it would be acceptable to raid BJP offices in the same manner.
The ED, however, denied targeting any political party, stating that the searches were evidence-based, conducted under anti-money laundering laws, and unrelated to elections. According to the agency, searches were carried out at ten locations across West Bengal and Delhi in connection with a coal smuggling syndicate allegedly led by Anup Majee. Investigators claim illegally mined coal was sold to factories in Bankura, Bardhaman, and Purulia, with proceeds allegedly laundered through a hawala network linked to I-PAC.
The raids sparked political backlash. BJP leaders accused Mamata of placing herself above the law, while Congress and other opposition parties called the actions a coercive “BJP playbook” aimed at suppressing democracy.
The case highlights the rising tensions between the ED and Mamata Banerjee, raising questions about the use of investigative agencies in politically sensitive cases ahead of crucial elections.
