West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at a location in Kolkata during an Enforcement Directorate search on Thursday and exited the premises carrying a green folder and an electronic device. The search was being conducted in connection with an investigation linked to the coal smuggling case and covered premises associated with political consultancy firm I-PAC and its co-founder Pratik Jain.
According to the Enforcement Directorate, the search formed part of a probe arising from the Anup Majhi alias Lala case. The agency stated that proceeds of crime generated from alleged coal smuggling were routed through hawala channels and were connected to payments made to I-PAC. The agency has asserted that digital records and documents relevant to the investigation were sought during the search.
The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Calcutta High Court alleging that the Chief Minister interfered with official proceedings and took custody of material that was part of the search process. The agency has placed these allegations on record before the court.
Separately, I-PAC has moved the Calcutta High Court seeking protection of privacy and a restraint on the search. The Trinamool Congress has also filed a petition seeking the return of documents described as confidential.
The Calcutta High Court has listed the matter for hearing on Friday.
