The Supreme Court witnessed a heated exchange during the hearing of a case involving Mamata Banerjee and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), with allegations flying from both sides. Banerjee accused the ED of attempting to "steal" data and information belonging to her party ahead of the upcoming assembly election. Simultaneously, the central agency accused the Chief Minister of "robbery and dacoity," alleging she took away a phone and laptop during a raid.
The courtroom atmosphere became charged as lawyers engaged in allegations and counter-allegations, prompting Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul M Pancholi to urge restraint. The Justices expressed concern over the disruptions that occurred in the Calcutta High Court during the initial hearing, emphasizing the importance of maintaining order in court proceedings.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta attributed the commotion in the High Court to TMC sympathizers, claiming that the party's legal cell circulated WhatsApp messages encouraging people to gather at the court. He argued that the presence of a large number of advocates resulted in the disruption. Mehta criticized the incident, stating that "mobocracy replaces democracy!". The bench responded to the submission by remarking, "Come everyone'? As if it's Jantar Mantar!". The opposing side countered that the emotion was.
The ED's actions have sparked political controversy, with Banerjee's party members claiming the agency is overstepping its bounds and acting with political motivation. The ED maintains that it is acting within its jurisdiction to investigate financial irregularities and that its actions are not politically motivated. The case is ongoing, and further developments are expected as the investigation progresses. The court has adjourned the hearing to allow both sides to present additional evidence and arguments. The implications of this case could be significant, potentially impacting the upcoming assembly elections and further straining the relationship between the state government and the central agencies.
