Kolkata, 08 January (H.S.):

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), West Bengal, on Thursday issued a clarification regarding the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) search operations, strongly countering the allegations made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and describing her remarks as misleading.

In an official statement released in the evening, the BJP said that in view of the Chief Minister’s comments, it was necessary to place certain facts in the public domain, as officially clarified by the ED itself.

According to the BJP, the ED has clearly stated that all the search operations are evidence-based and linked to the illegal coal smuggling case. The agency has informed that searches are currently being conducted at 10 locations—six in West Bengal and four in Delhi. The premises under scrutiny, the statement said, are allegedly connected to the generation of illegal cash, hawala transactions and proceeds of crime related to the case.

The party underlined that the ED has categorically clarified that no office of any political party has been searched as part of the operation. It also emphasised that the searches have no connection whatsoever with any election. The ED has described the action as part of its routine and continuous efforts to combat money laundering.

The BJP further noted that the ED has reiterated that the entire search process is being carried out strictly in accordance with the procedures and safeguards laid down by law.

Reaffirming its position, the BJP West Bengal unit said it has always stood by the principle that law enforcement agencies must be allowed to function independently, professionally and without any political interference. The law, it asserted, must be free to take its course based on facts and evidence.

The party warned that attempts to politicise legitimate investigative processes or to undermine constitutional institutions would erode public trust and weaken the rule of law.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh