The Calcutta High Court has recently ordered a joint Special Investigation Team (SIT) composed of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and State Police to investigate an assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials that took place last Wednesday. The officials from the ED were reportedly attacked during a search operation as part of a money laundering case in West Bengal.
The court emphasizes the need for a thorough probe into the incident, providing the team with the authority to call on both State and Central law enforcement units to support its operations. The SIT will share its findings directly with the jurisdictional Magistrate while the court keeps a monitor on its progress. Furthermore, the court retains control over final report approvals, thereby setting a clear threshold for the investigation. Crucially, officers from the local police station where the initial assault report took place are not permitted to participate. Moreover, the court ruled that all materials held by the current investigating officer must be promptly transferred to the appointed SIT.
In an earlier related event, the same High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition that had requested a special probe into the assault. The petitioner, legal advocate in question, was seeking a mandamus writ against the National Investigating Agency (NIA) or the CBI. However, the court declined, on the absence of substantial grounds for intervention and reliance on newspaper reports.
Highlighting the professional and technical capabilities of the ED, Chief Justice T. S. Sivagnanam challenged the petitioner’s lack of thorough research and failed to establish the need for court interference.
In the Sandeshkhali area of West Bengal, three criminal complaints have been registered against unknown individuals accusing them of assaulting ED officials. In one such case, the ED officials themselves are accused of criminal trespass and attempting to undermine a woman’s modesty during their operation.
The two remaining complaints relate to the aggression launched on ED officials, mentioning charges of rioting and assault on public servants. The ED highlighted that their team was attacked by a large, armed mob during their operation in West Bengal which led to injuries to three officers and significant property damage.