I-PAC row: Difficult to determine if Mamata Banerjee only took TMC material during searches, says ED

The Enforcement Directorate has told the Supreme Court that it is difficult to determine whether the material taken by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee when she allegedly obstructed its searches at the premises of political consultancy I-PAC only belonged to the Trinamool Congress, Live Law reported on Thursday.

The central agency made the remarks in a rejoinder affidavit filed in its petition in the Supreme Court against Banerjee and several West Bengal Police officers for allegedly obstructing the searches on January 8.

A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan has been hearing the petition.

The central agency had conducted searches on January 8 at the political consultancy’s office in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area, the home of its head Pratik Jain and the office of a trader in the city’s Posta neighbourhood as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering.

The Indian Political Action Committee has managed the Trinamool Congress’ election campaigns, including in the 2021 Assembly elections.

Banerjee had arrived at Jain’s home around noon while the search was underway and stayed for about 20 to 25 minutes. She then came out with a green file and claimed that the central agency’s officials were “taking away” party documents ahead of the Assembly elections.

The state is expected to head for elections in March or April.

After the raids, the Trinamool...

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