ED Approaches Supreme Court Again in I-PAC Raids Case, Requests Suspension of West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar
ED seeks suspension of West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, alleges obstruction in I-PAC raids Supreme Court to hear plea today
New Delhi, Jan 15 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday filed a fresh plea in the Supreme Court in connection with the I-PAC raids case, seeking the suspension of West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar.
In its previous petitions, the central agency had accused DGP Kumar and Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma of obstructing investigations and tampering with evidence during the multi-state money laundering probe against the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). The ED claimed that police officials intimidated its officers, confiscated files, and destroyed electronic evidence containing incriminating material.
In the new application, the ED has also sought disciplinary action against several senior West Bengal Police officials, citing misconduct and non-cooperation during the investigation. It has requested the Supreme Court to direct the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the officers involved.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear ED’s plea today, which also includes allegations against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The agency claims that she obstructed its simultaneous raids at the I-PAC office and the residence of co-founder Pratik Jain, hampering the investigation.
The case will be heard by a bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Sharma and Vipul M Pancholi. The ED has argued that the actions of the state government, the Chief Minister, and the police compromised the integrity of its probe.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has already filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, requesting that no order be passed without first hearing its side of the story.
