Kolkata, 10 January (H.S.):

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent a detailed report to its headquarters in Delhi regarding the search operation conducted in Kolkata during the investigation into the illegal coal smuggling case in West Bengal. The Union Home Ministry had sought information from the ED on Friday regarding the events that transpired during the search. The very next day, the ED prepared a detailed account of the entire incident and sent it to Delhi. It is believed that this report may also be forwarded to the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

According to sources, the ED officials who conducted the search operation at the IPAC (Indian Political Action Committee) office in Salt Lake Sector-5 and the residence of its head, Prateek Jain, on Loudon Street, prepared this report based on their direct experiences and the sequence of events. It also includes a detailed account of the roles played by the central forces, Kolkata Police, and the state administration during the search.

ED sources claimed that the Home Ministry specifically sought information regarding the obstacles encountered during the search operation on Thursday. The report was prepared based on this request, incorporating the statements of the eyewitness officers. However, the ED had already mentioned the events of that day in a press release and in documents filed in the Calcutta High Court.

The central agency's report also includes the allegation that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee intervened during the search operation and allegedly forcibly snatched important documents from the ED officials. According to the report, this entire account is now included in the file sent to Delhi.

The ED informed the court that several digital documents were seized during the search at Prateek Jain's residence on Loudon Street. At around 11:15 AM, Kolkata Police DC (South) Priyabrata Roy arrived at the scene and claimed to have received a complaint of trespassing. The ED officials then showed their identity cards and search warrants to the police. Police Commissioner Manoj Verma also arrived at the spot and was briefed on the entire situation.

According to the ED, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the scene at around 12:05 PM. She was repeatedly requested not to interfere with the search, but the agency alleges that, in violation of legal procedures, the Chief Minister forcibly snatched digital documents from the hands of ED officer Prashant Chandila and left the premises at around 12:15 PM.

Notably, the Trinamool Congress has also filed a case in the Calcutta High Court regarding this entire incident, while the ED has filed a separate petition. Both cases have been adjourned until January 14.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey