NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has escalated its legal battle by filing a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The ED accuses Banerjee and other state officials of obstructing its raids at the Kolkata offices of the political consultancy firm I-PAC, a key player in the state's political landscape.

The incident reached an urgent point when a commotion in the Calcutta High Court forced an adjournment of related litigation last Friday. The ED has based its claims on allegations that Banerjee’s interference allowed for the removal of critical physical and electronic evidence linked to an ongoing investigation into coal smuggling. Officials assert that such actions prevented the ED from fulfilling its lawful duties, significantly compromising the integrity of the investigation.

The political consultancy firm I-PAC previously played a vital role in shaping electoral strategies for Banerjee's Trinamool Congress party during the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections. In response to the ED's allegations, Chief Minister Banerjee has defended her presence at the search sites, accusing the agency of being politically driven. "This is nothing but a witch hunt to damage my credibility," Banerjee stated to media representatives.

Currently, the ED is seeking a CBI probe into the obstruction claims and requesting the return of documents that they argue are essential to their investigation. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has filed a counter-petition, hoping to prevent any leaks of sensitive party information amid these legal proceedings.

Interestingly, the State of West Bengal has lodged a caveat with the Supreme Court, ensuring that it will have the opportunity to be heard before any decisions are made. With the case adjourned until mid-January amidst rising tensions, both sides are preparing for an intense legal confrontation that could have significant political repercussions.