Mamata Banerjee blocked ED raid, seized I-PAC official's phone: Sources

Key Highlights

• Sources further said that the West Bengal Director General of Police was present at the spot and instructed the ED officials not to record anything in the panchnama.
• The DGP allegedly told the three ED officers that they should show no recovery from the raid, failing which they would be arrested. ED sources claimed that the situation escalated into an overwhelming show of force, with three ED officials facing dozens of police personnel and Z-category security officials deployed for the Chief Minister.
• They alleged that the officers were intimidated and pressured to ensure that no details of the incident were reflected in the official report. According to the sources, the DGP also allegedly warned the ED team that an FIR would be registered against them and that they would be arrested. The ED further claimed that independent witnesses present at the site were harassed and intimidated by Kolkata Police personnel and members of the Chief Minister’s staff during the raid. The Enforcement Directorate maintains that its officers faced coercion and intimidation throughout the operation and were forced to alter official documentation under pressure, sources said. MAMATA BANERJEE DENIES ALLEGATIONSIn response, Mamata Banerjee strongly denied the ED’s version of events.
• She claimed the ED was attempting to seize internal data, hard disks, and strategy documents related to the Trinamool Congress’ election planning, which she said were unrelated to any money-laundering probe.
• Mamata characterised the raids as politically motivated, calling them unconstitutional and an attempt to seize party data.