ED Accuses Mamata Banerjee, Bengal Police of Obstructing Probe, Seeks CBI FIR

• The ED moved the Calcutta High Court, alleging West Bengal Police, aided by CM Mamata Banerjee, obstructed search operations on January 8.
• The agency claims police failed to discharge duties and interfered with PMLA searches, seeking urgent judicial intervention.
• ED alleges Mamata Banerjee forcibly took digital devices and incriminating documents from a search premise during the operation.
• The searches were part of a coal smuggling probe, with ED uncovering Rs 20 crore in alleged proceeds of crime transferred to I-PAC via hawala.
• ED seeks a CBI probe into the obstruction, seizure of documents, and declarations that the police actions were unconstitutional.

Why It Matters: ED alleges CM Mamata Banerjee and Bengal Police obstructed a money laundering probe, seeking CBI intervention.