Strong debate on IPAC raid case in SC, ED made serious allegations, Mamata government gave clarification

New Delhi: There was a vigorous debate in the Supreme Court on Thursday on the Enforcement Directorate’s petition regarding the raid on IPAC in West Bengal. ED claims that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the state police obstructed the investigation during the raid on IPAC. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said in the court that this is a very shocking incident. The Chief Minister herself reached the raid site and obstructed the investigation. The state police acted in a political manner. Mehta further said that the ED was taking action under Section 17 of the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act), but it was deliberately influenced.

‘If such incidents are tolerated then…’

Mehta stressed that if such incidents were tolerated, it would encourage such acts and demoralize the central forces. The message should not go to the state government that they should forcibly enter and steal and then sit on strike. An example should be set and the officers who were on the spot should be suspended. Justice Mishra asked should we suspend these officers? On this, Mehta said that the court itself should not suspend, but should direct the competent authorities to take action. The court should take this entire matter seriously. He referred to Section 54 of PMLA, under which action can be taken against officers who interfere in the investigation.

‘TMC workers converted the court into Jantar Mantar’

The Solicitor General said that before the hearing in the Calcutta High Court, TMC workers had converted the court into Jantar Mantar. He said, ‘This uproar did not happen suddenly, rather it was planned by the legal cell of TMC. He had sent a message asking people to come. The court commented whether the court was converted into Jantar Mantar? Mehta replied yes. ED alleges that his lawyer ASG was not allowed to argue properly in the High Court and his mike was repeatedly muted. On maintainability, Mehta said that the ED officials who filed the petition as citizens of India were affected by this. Earlier, the house of CBI Joint Director was surrounded and vandalized.

‘Mamata Banerjee entered illegally with DCP’

Mehta said, ‘ED raided the house of a private company and a person associated with it, but Mamata Banerjee along with DGP, Commissioner and DCP entered there illegally, took away the documents, took the phones of ED officials. We demand that the state authorities realize that they cannot protest with the leaders. This affects the moral strength of the central agencies and hinders investigation. We want the court to order MHA and DoPT to suspend these officers. Mehta read out in the court the message circulating on TMC’s WhatsApp group, which was about disrupting the court proceedings. The Supreme Court said that this is a very serious matter and we are issuing a notice to the state government.

Sibal and Banerjee presented the side of Bengal government

Mehta said that what was there to hide that the Chief Minister had to forcefully enter inside along with the Police Commissioner? The Chief Minister entered the premises and, in violation of law and order, took possession of all the digital devices and three incriminating documents and left at 12:15 pm. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Kalyan Banerjee appeared for the West Bengal government. Sibal said that the information is being colored here. The Supreme Court said that we are very distressed that the High Court was not allowed to hear. Sibal said that the hearing took place yesterday. The court said no, on the first day. Sibal said that correct information was not given. This will not happen again.

‘Prateek Jain’s laptop contained election information’

Sibal said that the Chief Minister’s allegation of confiscating all the equipment is false. He said, ‘This is to create prejudice. No seizures occurred until 12:05. Prateek Jain’s laptop contained election information. He took laptop and iPhone. That’s all. No obstacles. Signature of ED. The things said in the petition are contrary to the Panchnama. IPAC had party material, so ED went. It is a malicious act of collecting more content. Sibal said that the allegation against the Chief Minister that she took away all the devices is wrong. He said, ‘Mamata took only her laptop and iPhone.’

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