In a closely monitored legal battle, India’s Supreme Court deferred the Enforcement Directorate’s urgent plea against West Bengal’s leadership to February 10. The petition stems from the contentious I-PAC raids, spotlighting claims of sabotage by CM Mamata Banerjee’s administration.
ED operatives faced resistance on the ground when raiding political consultancy I-PAC’s Kolkata hub and Prateek Jain’s residence. State forces, the agency contends, intervened aggressively at Banerjee’s behest, threatening officers and derailing the money laundering probe.
Representing ED, SG Tushar Mehta painted a dire picture, calling it an unprecedented challenge to central authority and democratic norms. He sought criminal action against key figures including the CM, DGP, and police commissioner.
The bench previously imposed a stay on FIR registrations and insisted on intact evidence preservation, including CCTV from raided locales. It also required sworn statements from implicated officials.
West Bengal’s defense, led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi, decried the plea as procedural mischief, citing ongoing Calcutta High Court matters as the proper venue.
Today’s session was brief: Mehta flagged the freshly received state reply, seeking leeway to respond adequately. The court obliged, setting a firm date for deeper deliberation.
This adjournment keeps the spotlight on federal-state frictions, especially in enforcement realms. With elections on the horizon, the case transcends mere procedure, potentially signaling judicial stance on agency independence versus regional autonomy.