Heated debate in Supreme Court in I-pack raid case, hearing on ‘interference’ petition against Mamata Banerjee on March 18

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned till March 18 the hearing on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) plea alleging that the West Bengal government, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, obstructed the I-PAC office and the premises of its director during ED raids in connection with the alleged coal theft scam.

A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Vishwanathan adjourned the hearing in the case after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the reply would be filed during the day.

The apex court had on January 15 said the West Bengal Chief Minister’s alleged “obstruction” of the ED investigation was “extremely serious” and agreed to examine whether law enforcement agencies of a state can interfere with the central agency’s investigation in a serious crime case.

On January 8, the court had stayed the FIR against the agency officials who raided political consultancy firm I-PACK. The Supreme Court, while staying the FIR lodged against ED officials in West Bengal, also directed the state police to preserve the CCTV footage of the raid. It had issued notices to Banerjee, the West Bengal government, DGP Rajeev Kumar and top police officials on ED pleas seeking a CBI probe against them for allegedly obstructing the raid at the I-PAC premises.

The ED has also alleged that Banerjee entered the raid sites and took away “crucial” evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices, from I-Pac’s premises, obstructing and interfering with the investigation of the case.