Supreme Court Adjourns ED Plea Against Mamata Banerjee's Alleged Interference in Coal Scam Probe

Image Source: Internet

The Supreme Court has adjourned its hearing on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) plea against alleged interference by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the agency's probe into a coal pilferage scam. The ED had conducted searches at the office of political consultancy I-PAC and its director Pratik Jain in Kolkata on January 8. However, Banerjee arrived at the site, confronted ED officials, and allegedly removed key evidence, including documents and electronic devices. The ED has claimed that Banerjee's actions compromised the agency's ability to conduct an independent probe and had an intimidating effect on its officers. The agency has sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged obstruction. The Supreme Court had earlier agreed to examine if a state's law-enforcing agencies can interfere with a central agency's probe into serious offenses. The West Bengal government has filed affidavits in the matter, and the ED has sought time to respond. The court has deferred the matter to February 10. The ED's plea is part of a larger controversy surrounding the agency's probe into the alleged multi-crore-rupee coal-pilferage scam. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused the ED of overreach and attempting to disrupt its electoral preparations in the upcoming Assembly polls in West Bengal.