Calcutta HC closes Trinamool's plea

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday disposed of a plea filed by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) seeking protection of its alleged confidential political data, after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) told the Court that it had seized nothing during its recent raids on the premises of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its co-founder, Pratik Jain.

- FPJ News Service

Appearing for the ED, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju submitted before Justice Suvra Ghosh that contrary to TMC's apprehensions, no documents or electronic data were seized by the agency during the searches. Raju further claimed that it was Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who took away documents and electronic material from the premises, Bar and Bench reports.

Recording the statement, the Court closed the TMC's plea, which had sought directions to ensure that any sensitive political data allegedly seized during the raids was preserved and not circulated or misused.

"The only prayer is for the preservation of the political confidential data and protection of the same from being circulated to any entity by ED.

The other prayers are not pressed. Lead counsel for respondents (ED, Central government) submits nothing whatsoever was seized from the two premises. Copies of panchnamas drawn up at alleged places of search and seizure demonstrate that nothing was seized from either the office of [I-PAC] or the residence of the Director [of IPAC]. In view of the submissions made by respondents, nothing remains to be dealt with in the present application. The same is accordingly disposed of," the Court said.