#ED has moved to #CalcuttaHC, on the ground of #WestBengal CM #MamataBanerjee obstructed investigation, forcibly moved evidence from search location.
Calcutta HC has given nod to file case, hearing is likely to be held tomorrow.
On the ED raids at the IPAC office in Kolkata, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "... I heard that ED's Forensic Team had come and they transferred some data. They took our hard disk, our financial papers, political papers... BJP has lakhs and crores of property, but CBI and ED not caught anyone..."
According to the ED, Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by a large contingent of police officials, personally entered the residential premises of Prateek Jain and removed crucial evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices.
The CM’s convoy then proceeded to I-PAC’s office, where Mamata Banerjee, her aides, and state police personnel forcibly seized documents and electronic evidence linked to an ongoing investigation.
These actions, as stated by the ED, amount to direct obstruction of a lawful investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
According to a official statement made by TMC party, What has unfolded is deliberate and politically motivated. This is yet another attempt by the BJP to capture Bengal through unethical means.
Unable to fight democratically, the BJP is now using the ED as a weapon, trying to forcibly seize party documents, internal strategies, candidate-related details, and crucial papers.
The raid is a part of this larger conspiracy, orchestrated through the ED under the direction of an authoritarian Home Minister.
Hon’ble Chairperson Mamata Banerjee has made it absolutely clear, that this conspiracy will be resisted at every step and will never be allowed to succeed.
ED Headquarters Unit is conducting search action at 10 premises (6 in West Bengal and 4 in Delhi) under PMLA in connection with coal smuggling syndicate led by Anup Majee used to steal and illegally excavate coal from ECL leasehold areas of West Bengal. The search action was undertaken in a peaceful manner till the arrival of Chief Minister of West Bengal along with Police personnel and Officers of West Bengal administration who forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidences in 2 of the premises. It is clarified that the search is evidence based and is not targeted at any political establishment. No party office has been searched. The search is not linked to any elections, and is part of regular crackdown on money laundering. The search is conducted strictly in accordance with established legal safeguards.
