The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a fresh plea in the Supreme Court seeking the suspension of West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar ahead of today’s hearing on last week’s raids on political consultancy firm I-PAC. The agency alleged that Kumar and other top officials interfered during searches at I-PAC director Pratik Jain’s residence in Kolkata on January 8.
I-PAC, which has been involved in curating poll strategy for the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, is under investigation for alleged money laundering linked to a coal scam, with nearly Rs 10 crore reportedly routed to the firm through hawala channels.
The ED contended that Kumar’s past conduct, including participating in a sit-in protest with Mamata Banerjee as Kolkata Police Commissioner, raises concerns about impartiality. The agency also alleged that the Chief Minister, along with senior Trinamool leaders, obstructed the searches and removed files from the I-PAC office, creating an intimidating environment for officers.
Following the raids, the West Bengal Police registered an FIR against ED officials, escalating the standoff. Citing repeated obstruction by the state government, the ED has urged the Supreme Court to direct a neutral inquiry by the CBI. Earlier, the Calcutta High Court disposed of a related petition by the Trinamool Congress after recording the ED’s statement that no documents or materials had been seized from I-PAC or Pratik Jain.
The Supreme Court will hear the ED’s petition under Article 32, with the West Bengal government, Mamata Banerjee, Rajeev Kumar, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma, and South Kolkata Deputy Commissioner Priyabatra Roy named as respondents.
