New Delhi, 18 February (H.S.): The Supreme Court of India observed a heated exchange on Wednesday during the hearing of a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding raids at the I-PAC office in West Bengal.The West Bengal government argued that the ED was being armed with excessive powers, while the ED countered that attempts were being made to intimidate its officers.
A bench presided over by Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra scheduled the next hearing for March 18.Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing the West Bengal government, asserted that the ED must explain how it acquired such extensive authority. ASG SV Raju, for the ED, reacted sharply, claiming efforts to frighten the agency.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the Centre, stated he would argue whether the ED has the right to file a petition under Article 32. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, for West Bengal, noted that they had already raised the issue of the petition's maintainability, which the court had recorded.
Senior advocates Menka Guruswamy and Siddharth Luthra opposed issuing notice on a petition by an individual named Nishant, pointing out that several of his prior petitions had been dismissed.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the ED's petition.
The state's affidavit argues that parallel proceedings cannot occur when a similar petition is pending in the Calcutta High Court, and the ED lacks authority to file a writ petition directly in the Supreme Court. It further claims no prior notice was issued before the I-PAC office search and accuses the ED of violating privileged communications.
On January 15, the court had issued notices to Mamata Banerjee and senior state police officers over their alleged interference in the ED raids, while staying FIRs against ED officials. The bench emphasized the need for independent functioning of democratic institutions and ruled that central agencies cannot interfere in political activities but cannot be obstructed under the guise of politics if acting lawfully.
Prior to the ED petition, West Bengal filed a caveat. On January 8, the ED raided the I-PAC office—which handles Trinamool Congress promotions—and director Prateek Jain's residence in a probe linked to the alleged coal scam. The ED's plea demands removal and suspension of DGP Rajeev Kumar and other top officers, accusing them of aiding evidence tampering in collusion with Banerjee. It references Kumar's past sit-in protest with Banerjee as Kolkata Police Commissioner.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
