The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior state police officials, alleging obstruction during an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to the coal scam.
According to the ED, its officials were conducting search operations at the residence of I-PAC director Pratik Jain and at the organisation’s office in Salt Lake, Kolkata, when Mamata Banerjee arrived at the premises along with senior police officers. The agency has claimed that during this time, several important documents and electronic devices, including laptops, mobile phones and storage drives, were taken away, hampering the investigation.
The ED has alleged that the removal of these materials disrupted forensic examination and amounted to interference in a lawful probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. In its petition, the agency has sought directions for the CBI to register cases and investigate the role of all those involved, including the Chief Minister and police officials present during the incident.
The agency has also requested the court to ensure the recovery, sealing and forensic preservation of the seized materials, and to issue directions to prevent similar interference in future investigations.
On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress has contested the ED’s claims, arguing that the searches involved sensitive personal and political data unrelated to the case and accusing the central agency of acting with political motives. The Calcutta High Court is hearing petitions from both sides and is expected to take up the matter again in the coming days.