ED Moves HC, Accuses Mamata of Obstructing Probe
Agency alleges Bengal CM removed documents and electronic evidence during raid linked to coal smuggling case
- ED accuses Mamata Banerjee of removing laptops and documents during raid
- Searches linked to coal smuggling and money laundering probe
- Agency moves High Court alleging obstruction of investigation
- CM calls the raid politically motivated and BJP-driven
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 8th Jan: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Calcutta High Court accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of obstructing an ongoing investigation after she allegedly removed electronic devices and documents during a search operation at the residence and offices of Pratik Jain, chief of election consultancy firm I-PAC.
According to the central agency, the Chief Minister walked out with a laptop, mobile phone and several documents from premises being searched in connection with a coal smuggling and money laundering probe. The ED has sought the court’s intervention, alleging that Banerjee’s actions amounted to interference in an investigation being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The High Court is expected to hear the matter on Friday.
In a statement, the ED said searches were being conducted at 10 locations—six in West Bengal and four in Delhi—in connection with an alleged coal smuggling syndicate led by Anup Majee, which reportedly illegally excavated and sold coal from Eastern Coalfields Limited leasehold areas. The agency claimed that illegal proceeds were laundered through a hawala network, with transactions allegedly routed to entities including I-PAC.
The ED alleged that the searches were proceeding peacefully until Banerjee arrived at the premises along with state police personnel and administrative officials, and forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidence. It further claimed that similar actions were taken at I-PAC’s office, amounting to obstruction of investigation.
Rejecting the allegations, Banerjee described the raids as politically motivated and orchestrated by the BJP. Speaking to reporters, she said ED officials had taken laptops, phones, tax papers, bank details and election strategy data belonging to her party. “This is an insult to the IT sector. You have taken our data. I am waiting for justice,” she said, adding that I-PAC was authorised by her party and played a key role in election strategy.
The ED, however, maintained that the searches were evidence-based, conducted under legal safeguards, and were not linked to any elections or political establishments.
Meanwhile, the family of Pratik Jain has filed a police complaint alleging theft of important documents during the raid.
The episode has triggered sharp political reactions, with BJP leaders questioning the Chief Minister’s conduct and opposition parties accusing the Centre of weaponising central agencies.
