SC disturbed by Calcutta HC chaos, calls ED charges against Mamata ‘very serious’

The Supreme Court on Thursday (January 15) termed "very serious" the Enforcement Directorate's allegation that it faced obstruction from the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during their raids at the I-PAC office and the premises of its director in connection with an alleged coal scam, with the agency contending that the alleged interference reflects what it described as a “very shocking pattern”.

SC flags Calcutta HC chaos

A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi said they intend to issue notice and examine the matter. "This is a very serious matter; we will issue a notice. We have to examine it," it remarked orally.

Also read: 54 lakh voter names deleted in Bengal SIR, 84 dead, alleges Mamata Banerjee

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, told the bench that in the past also, whenever statutory authorities exercised statutory power, Banerjee barged in and interfered. "It reflects a very shocking pattern," Mehta said while contending that this will only encourage such acts, and the central forces will be demoralised.

"This will embolden state authorities to barge in, commit theft, and then sit on a dharna. Let an example be set, officers who were explicitly present there should be suspended," the solicitor general said.

Mehta submitted that there was evidence leading to the conclusion that incriminating material was lying in the I-PAC office. "Let an example be set, and officers explicitly present there should be suspended. Direct the competent authority to act, and please take cognisance of what is happening. We are here to protect our officers' fundamental rights. We are acting under the law and do not seize for personal gains," he said.

'Mobocracy replaces democracy'

Mehta told the apex court that a large number of advocates and other persons entered the Calcutta High Court during the hearing of the ED's plea, and the matter was adjourned. "This happens when mobocracy replaces democracy," he told the top court.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal opposed Mehta's plea and said the case should be heard by the Calcutta High Court first, and proper hierarchy should be followed. He claimed the ED was filing parallel proceedings.

Sibal also referred to the video recording of the raid and said, "It is a blatant lie that all digital devices were taken. Allegation that CM Mamata Banerjee took all devices is a lie, substantiated by ED's own panchnama (search record). The last statement in the coal scam was recorded in February 2024; what was ED doing since then? Why so keen in the midst of elections?". The hearing is currently underway.

Banerjee, TMC deny charges

The ED's plea in the apex court follows events from January 8, when the probe agency's officials faced obstructions during their raids at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Salt Lake and the Kolkata residence of its director, Pratik Jain, in connection with a coal smuggling case.

Also Read: Calcutta HC disposes TMC's plea after ED denies any seizure during I-PAC raid

The probe agency has claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee entered the premises and took away "key" evidence related to the probe. However, Banerjee has accused the central agency of overreach, while her party, Trinamool Congress, has denied the ED's allegation of "obstructing" its probe. The state's police have registered an FIR against ED officers.

(With agency inputs)