Calm Returns as ED Dismisses TMC's Poll Data Seizure Claim

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The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday brought an end to the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) petition accusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of seizing sensitive poll data. The ED maintained that no documents or data were seized during its January 8 search at the offices of strategy firm I-PAC. The ED's claim was supported by additional solicitor general SV Raju, who represented the agency during the high court hearing. According to Raju, the petition filed by TMC was 'not maintainable' as it was based on second-hand information and not from someone who was present during the search operations. Raju presented two seizure lists, which showed that nothing was seized by the ED. The court accepted Raju's statement that nothing was seized during the search and dismissed TMC's petition. The ED had previously accused TMC chief Mamata Banerjee of interfering with its search operations and taking away evidence, including documents and a laptop. The agency had sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Banerjee and other senior officials, alleging they obstructed a lawful money laundering probe and wrongfully confined ED officers. The ED's probe is based on a CBI FIR registered in November 2020, alleging that coal was being mined illegally at Eastern Coalfields Ltd's mines in West Bengal. The agency had previously questioned TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, alleging that he is a beneficiary of funds obtained in the illegal mining. The ED's writ petition before the Supreme Court seeks protection for its officers from 'malicious criminal prosecution' and intimidation by the West Bengal government, and urges the court to order an independent CBI investigation into the incident. The agency alleges that Mamata Banerjee and senior officials threatened, restrained, and prevented its officers from completing the search, and took away electronic devices and files. The ED's petition terms the incident 'shocking' and 'unprecedented,' and alleges that the actions amount to a series of grave cognisable offences under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. The agency has urged the Supreme Court to direct the CBI to register FIRs against Mamata Banerjee and senior police officials.