New Delhi: In a significant escalation of tensions between central investigative agencies and state authorities, the Supreme Court has taken up the contentious issue of the Kolkata Police allegedly obstructing an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on the offices of I-Pac, a prominent political consultancy firm linked to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s son, Abhishek Banerjee.
The drama unfolded last week when ED teams arrived at I-Pac’s Salt Lake office in Kolkata to probe alleged money laundering activities connected to municipal recruitment scams. Eyewitnesses reported that a heavy police contingent, led by senior officers, physically prevented the ED sleuths from entering the premises, leading to a standoff that lasted several hours.
ED counsel, appearing before a bench led by Justice Bela Trivedi, argued vehemently that such interference undermines the autonomy of central agencies mandated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ‘The state machinery is systematically obstructing constitutional functionaries,’ the counsel submitted, demanding immediate judicial intervention to allow the search operations to proceed unhindered.
The court has issued notices to the West Bengal government, seeking their response within a week. Legal experts believe this case could set a precedent on the delicate balance of power between Centre and states in investigation matters. As political rhetoric heats up, with TMC accusing ED of vendetta politics ahead of elections, the judiciary’s verdict will be closely watched.
Background details reveal I-Pac’s deep involvement in Banerjee’s electoral strategies, managing data analytics and campaign logistics for multiple victories. The raids stem from broader investigations into irregularities in civic body recruitments, where kickbacks and cash transactions are under scanner. ED claims documents seized earlier point to hawala routes funding these operations.
This isn’t the first clash; similar standoffs have occurred in other states, raising questions about federalism in enforcement actions. The Supreme Court’s ruling could redefine operational protocols for agencies like ED, CBI, and Income Tax across non-BJP ruled states.