The legal battle between the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the West Bengal government reached a fever pitch on Friday as the Calcutta High Court scheduled the next hearing for January 14. The decision comes amidst high drama, courtroom chaos, and a direct appeal to the Chief Justice to expedite the case.
Chaos in the Courtroom
The proceedings began at 2:30 PM in the court of Justice Shuvra Ghosh. However, the hearing was almost immediately derailed by intense shouting and unrest within the courtroom. Despite Justice Ghosh’s repeated orders for silence and an appeal from advocate Kalyan Banerjee, who took to a microphone to urge for calm, the situation remained uncontrollable.
Citing the inability to conduct a fair hearing under such disruptive conditions, Justice Ghosh adjourned the matter until next Tuesday.
The ED’s Urgent Appeal Rejected
Dissatisfied with the delay, the Enforcement Directorate moved swiftly to the Chief Justice’s secretariat, requesting an emergency bench to hear the case immediately. The central agency expressed its willingness to move the case to a different courtroom if necessary, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
However, the Chief Justice declined the request, noting that since a judicial order for the date had already been issued, it could not be overturned. The hearing will proceed as scheduled on January 14.
Roots of the Conflict: The I-PAC Raid
The legal friction stems from a series of dramatic events on Thursday involving the political consultancy firm I-PAC.
The Raid: ED officials conducted searches at the residence of I-PAC head Pratik Jain and the firm’s Salt Lake office.
Allegations of Obstruction: The ED has alleged that local police interfered with their investigation and hindered their officers’ duties.
The Green File: Tensions escalated when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the scene during the search. The ED claims that a “green file” was removed from the premises following her arrival, prompting the agency to seek immediate judicial intervention.
Political Climate: Mamata Banerjee’s Kolkata Rally
The legal standoff coincides with a massive rally led by Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata. As the Chief Minister rallies her supporters on the streets, the upcoming court date on the 14th is being viewed as a critical juncture in the ongoing friction between the state administration and federal investigative agencies.
All eyes now turn to the Calcutta High Court next Tuesday to see how this high-profile confrontation unfolds.
