West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Enforcement Directorate of attempting to “take away” Trinamool Congress documents during searches at locations linked to the political consultancy firm I-PAC. The firm has managed the Trinamool Congress’ election campaigns.
The agency searched the firm’s office in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area, the home of the firm’s head Pratik Jain and the office of a trader in the city’s Posta neighbourhood. The operation was based on an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation into an alleged coal smuggling syndicate. The ED said that the “search is evidence-based and is not targeted at any political establishment”.
It accused Banerjee of entering Jain’s residence and taking away “key evidences including physical documents and electronic devices”. The agency moved the Calcutta High Court on Thursday, alleging “illegal interference” during its operations. Read on.
Activist Sharjeel Imam told a court that Delhi Police’s allegations that Umar Khalid, a co-accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots, is his mentor and guru are false. Imam said that he never spoke with Khalid during the five years they studied at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
To establish a conspiracy, it is necessary to show there had been an agreement between us, Imam said “But they have failed to show…
Source: Rush Hour: Row after ED raids I-PAC in West Bengal, US bill for up to 500% tariffs aproved & more
