The Supreme Court is hearing a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today. The petition, filed by the ED, alleges that the Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee interfered with and obstructed the ED's raid on the I-PAC office and the home of its director, Pratik Jain. A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi is hearing the case.
Before approaching the Supreme Court, the ED had moved the Calcutta High Court on January 9, seeking a CBI investigation against Banerjee. However, the hearing could not take place due to disruptions in the High Court.
What arguments did the ED present in the Supreme Court?
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, told the bench, "This incident shows a very disturbing pattern. This will encourage such actions and demoralize central forces. State governments will feel that they can barge in, steal evidence, and then stage a sit-in protest. An example must be set; the officers present there should be immediately suspended. There was evidence that led to the conclusion that incriminating material was present at the I-PAC office. During the hearing of our petition, a large number of lawyers and others barged into the Calcutta High Court." This happens when democracy is replaced by mob rule."
Has the High Court been turned into Jantar Mantar?
Arguing on behalf of the ED, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that on January 9, the Calcutta High Court also fell victim to mob rule. A crowd of lawyers who had no connection to the case gathered in the High Court, forcing the judge to adjourn the hearing.
The bench of Justices Prashant Mishra and Vipul Pancholi asked whether the High Court had been transformed into Jantar Mantar. Solicitor General Mehta said that a WhatsApp message had instructed lawyers to come to the court at a specific time, which led to the chaos.
Supreme Court says it will issue a notice on Sibal's argument
Kapil Sibal, representing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, said that the allegation that the Chief Minister took all the equipment is false. This is proven by their own panchnama (official record). This is only to create prejudice. They are informing the court through the panchnama.
To this, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra said, "Your claim is contradictory. If their (ED's) intention was to seize, they would have seized, but nothing of the sort happened." Justice Mishra added, "We have to investigate. You cannot stop us from issuing a notice."
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