The Supreme Court today strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her alleged intervention during the Enforcement Directorate investigation and searche at I-PAC, observing. The Court said the issue concerns the actions of an individual holding constitutional office and their impact on democratic processes.
The Questioning whether any substantial question of law was involved, the Bench of Justice PK Mishra and Justice NV Anjaria observed that merely because questions of law arise does not mean the matter must be placed before a larger bench.
The Court also highlighted the “extraordinary” nature of the situation, stating it cannot ignore ground realities in the State and must take decisions keeping in view broader socio-political circumstances.
“This is an extraordinary situation. Before the other bench where the FIR is under question, we have seen the situation that several judicial officers had been kept hostage. And you want the petitioner should have gone to a magistrate under section 200? We cannot shut our eyes to the reality of what’s happening. We cannot lose sight of the practical situation which is present in the state.”