The Enforcement Directorate has moved the Supreme Court seeking an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation into West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allegedly obstructing its raids at the offices of political consultancy firm I-PAC last week, Live Law reported on Sunday.
The Supreme Court is yet to hear the matter, according to Bar and Bench.
The enforcement agency has moved the top court under Article 32 of the Constitution. This provision allows any person to directly approach the Supreme Court to enforce their fundamental rights if they are violated.
On Thursday, the ED conducted searches at I-PAC’s office in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area, the residence of the firm’s head Pratik Jain and the office of a trader in the city’s Posta neighbourhood in connection with an investigation into alleged money laundering.
I-PAC, or the Indian Political Action Committee, has managed the Trinamool Congress’ election campaigns, including in the 2021 Assembly elections.
Banerjee arrived at Jain’s home around noon while the search was underway and stayed for about 20 to 25 minutes. She then came out with a green file and claimed that the central agency’s officials were “taking away” party documents ahead of the Assembly elections.
The state is expected to head for polls in the next three to four months.
Banerjee alleged that the ED was confiscating the Trinamool Congress’ “documents and hard disks, which…
Source: I-PAC row: ED moves Supreme Court seeking CBI FIR against Mamata Banerjee for ‘obstructing’ searches
