The Supreme Court of India has slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her interruption of an ED raid at I-PAC's co-founder Pratik Jain's home in January.
The top court told Banerjee that her actions put democracy in jeopardy and that a chief minister cannot storm the premises in the midst of an investigation.
The ED raid was held in January over allegations of money laundering, which became a political flashpoint after Banerjee stormed into Jain's residence during the raid.
The central agency has alleged that the TMC leader removed key evidence from the site, while Banerjee has denied the allegations and accused the ED of acting on 'political vendetta'.
The Supreme Court's hearing comes at a time when West Bengal prepares to go to the polls, with the main contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
