Supreme Court Intervention in ED's Probe Against I-PAC Sparks Political Tensions

The Enforcement Directorate has escalated its investigation into a coal scam involving I-PAC by appealing to the Supreme Court. The agency seeks to include the Union home ministry and other entities as parties in the case, alleging interference by the West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has turned to the Supreme Court, pushing to involve the Union home ministry and the Department of Personnel and Training in its case. The central agency alleges obstruction from the West Bengal government, specifically pinpointing involvement by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during its investigation into a coal scam linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC.

The ED's appeal seeks the impleadment of the two central departments, arguing that without their inclusion as respondents, the agency risks suffering substantial setbacks. This legal move comes as the ED investigates reports that West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty accompanied the Chief Minister to the I-PAC office.

Amidst these tensions, the Supreme Court has stayed FIRs lodged against ED officials by the state and stressed the seriousness of the allegations against CM Banerjee. The court has instructed the maintenance of CCTV footage from the raids and issued notices to key state officials, pushing the controversy into the national spotlight.

(With inputs from agencies.)