The Enforcement Directorate alleged before the Supreme Court that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was an accused in the I-PAC raid incident and claimed that theft was committed in the presence of state DGP Rajeev Kumar, whom the agency described as an “abettor”.
Arguing the ED’s plea seeking the suspension of Rajeev Kumar, Additional Solicitor General Raju, appearing for the agency, sought a CBI probe into the matter. He submitted that a fair investigation would not be possible in West Bengal as the allegations involved the Chief Minister and senior police officials. The ASG also pointed out that no FIR had been registered despite the seriousness of the allegations, adding that even if one were lodged, it would lack credibility.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the West Bengal government, objected to the maintainability of the ED’s petition. He argued that the agency had already approached the Calcutta High Court on the same issue and accused the ED of forum shopping.
