In an unprecedented move, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has lodged complaints at both the Electronics Complex Police Station and Shakespeare Sarani Police Station against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following yesterday’s search operation at the residence and office of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain. The police have also filed a separate complaint at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station.

 

Meanwhile, the ED has approached the Calcutta High Court, alleging that the Chief Minister obstructed raids and investigations at Jain’s premises. ED counsel Dhiraj Trivedi informed Justice Shubhra Ghosh’s bench that their probe was disrupted by the Chief Minister’s sudden interference, while the police remained inactive. He urged the court to intervene immediately, and Justice Ghosh has permitted the case to proceed.

 

IPAC’s representatives also sought judicial intervention. Their lawyers, Sabyasachi Banerjee and Ayan Bhattacharya, argued that attempts were being made to seize all their files and documents, and requested an immediate stay on the ED’s search operations. Both petitions are expected to be heard this afternoon.