ED approaches Calcutta HC over ‘obstruction’ during raid, claims CM Mamata forcibly removed documents, evidence

The Enforcement Directorate has moved the Calcutta High Court alleging illegal interference and obstruction during its ongoing search operations linked to a coal smuggling and money laundering probe. The matter is scheduled to be heard by Justice Suvra Ghosh on Friday.

In a press release issued on January 8, the ED said searches were conducted based on a CBI FIR registered in November 2020 against Anup Majee and others, with the agency recording an ECIR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The investigation pertains to alleged large-scale coal theft and illegal excavation from ECL leasehold areas in West Bengal, with the coal allegedly sold to factories across several districts including Bankura, Bardhaman and Purulia.

The ED claimed the probe revealed links between the coal smuggling syndicate and hawala operators, with transactions amounting to tens of crores of rupees. According to the agency, one hawala operator allegedly facilitated layering of proceeds of crime to Indian Pac Consulting Private Limited, which it said is among the entities linked to hawala money. Searches were conducted at six premises in West Bengal and four in Delhi.

The agency alleged that while proceedings were initially peaceful, the situation changed after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the premises along with police officials. The ED claimed key physical documents and electronic devices were removed from the residence of Prateek Jain and later from I-PAC’s office, resulting in obstruction of the investigation. The ED clarified that the searches were evidence-based, not politically targeted, and unconnected to elections.