New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s alleged interference during an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on the I-PAC office.
While hearing the matter, a bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and NV Anjaria described the situation as “unusual” and “not pleasant.”
The bench’s observations came as the West Bengal government sought additional time to file its response, despite having been granted four weeks previously. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the state, requested more time to submit an affidavit. However, this was met with stiff resistance from Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta.
“It is very strange that a Chief Minister is interfering in the investigation of a central agency,” Mehta argued. He alleged that the state is merely trying to waste time. He further reminded the court of an ED affidavit claiming that officials had to halt their search after a confrontation between state police and central security guards, triggered by the CM’s arrival at the scene. “No agency can allow a third person to enter a raid site and take away items,” Mehta added.
The court echoed these concerns, noting that the Chief Minister’s entry during an active raid was a serious matter. “What happened is not a pleasant situation. It is unusual,” the bench remarked, while rebuking the state for its delay tactics.
Representing the other side, Advocate Shyam Divan argued that they had not received enough time to record their statements. To this, the court pointed out that the four-week window provided earlier should have been sufficient.
As the legal tussle intensifies, the apex court has made it clear that procedural delays will not be entertained, especially in cases involving allegations of high-level administrative interference in central investigations.