I-PAC raids: ED search disruption 'very serious', SC seeks Mamata Banerjee and DGP's reply

New Delhi: Observing that it is a "very serious matter" and needs to be examined, the Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar and others on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate accusing them of obstructing the agency's recent searches at the premises of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain.

A division bench comprising justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi also asked Banerjee, Kumar and others to respond to the ED's prayer for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against them. The bench expressed its strong displeasure over the disruption of court proceedings in the Calcutta High Court last week. The SC said that it was "very disturbed" at what transpired in the HC. The bench stayed the First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the West Bengal Police against the ED officers.Also Read: Mamata tells SC she visited I-PAC as TMC chair, not as CM



Representing the federal agency, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the plea is to seek protection of the fundamental rights of ED officials. Mehta said that ED, as an organisation, "represents the interests of the victims" who have been duped by the accused involved in money laundering.

He added that the CM, by barging into the premises, committed an "offence of theft". He urged the SC to take strict note of this and order immediate suspension of top police officials of West Bengal so that no state officials in future are emboldened to browbeat officials of central agencies.

Appearing on behalf of Bengal CM and top state police officials, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that ED's search operation was aimed at seizing confidential election data.

The argument did not cut ice with the bench which verbally remarked: "If they (ED officials) had any intention to seize, they could have seized. Their panchnama shows they have not seized anything".Also Read: I-PAC raids- SC stays FIRs against ED officers; TMC cites election-time misuse

In its order, the bench said that it is "prima facie of the view that the present petition has raised a serious issue relating to the investigation by the ED or other central agencies and interference by state agencies.

Besides the demand for a CBI probe, the ED has also sought a direction for the return of evidence that Banerjee is alleged to have taken from the premises linked to I-PAC.

Sibal argued that Banerjee had gone to the premises only as the chairman of Trinamool Congress and not the chief minister. She took only a laptop and an iPhone that contained party-related information.

Huge Setback from CM: BJP

The BJP welcomed the SC's stay on FIRs against ED officials, calling it a major setback and embarrassment for CM Mamata Banerjee.

"In a strong rebuke to the chief minister, who has acted above the Constitution, the SC has stayed the FIRs," BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia told media persons.