The Enforcement Directorate has filed a sharp rejoinder before the court accusing West Bengal authorities of unlawfully obstructing its search at the IPAC office, asserting that the alleged removal of documents during the raid compromised a money-laundering investigation. The agency has sought registration of an FIR against state functionaries, framing the dispute as a threat to rule of law and the integrity of investigations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The standoff arose from an ED search operation at the premises of IPAC, during which state police and officials allegedly intervened. The West Bengal government had claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee removed certain materials from the site without objection from ED officers. In response, the agency has categorically denied consenting to any such action, stating that once materials were taken away, it became impossible to ascertain whether only party-related documents were removed or evidence relevant to the probe.
The ED maintains that its officers identified themselves and produced valid authorisations, dismissing the State’s assertion that the intervention was triggered by concerns over impersonators as a “camouflage.” It further argues that the presence of senior Kolkata Police personnel created a coercive atmosphere, compelling officers to conclude the search to avoid escalation.
In its affidavit, the ED has framed the episode as more than an operational dispute, asserting that “acts of intimidation, use of force, wrongful confinement of the officer and abuse of state machinery” violated the fundamental rights of its officials. It has also contended that obstruction of a lawful PMLA search infringes the public’s right to rule of law under Article 14.
Rejecting the State’s plea that the matter belongs under Article 131 as a Centre State dispute, the ED insists it is seeking investigation into cognisable offences and that prior hearing of the accused is not required at the FIR stage. The matter remains pending as the court considers the maintainability and scope of relief sought.
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