SC calls Mamata, ED face-off 'very serious'; questions Calcutta HC chaos

• Supreme Court deems ED's obstruction allegations against West Bengal government and CM Mamata Banerjee in coal scam raids as "very serious."
• The bench, comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi, expressed disturbance over commotion at Calcutta High Court during the ED hearing, questioning if it turned into Jantar Mantar.
• Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing ED, highlighted a "shocking pattern" of interference by the state government and CM Banerjee during statutory exercises.
• Mehta urged the SC to set an example, suspend officers present during the alleged obstruction, and protect ED officers' fundamental rights, citing mobocracy replacing democracy at Calcutta HC.
• Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, opposing ED's plea, argued for the Calcutta High Court to hear the case first, denied CM Banerjee took devices, and questioned ED's timing amidst elections.

Why It Matters: SC takes serious note of ED's obstruction claims against West Bengal government and CM Mamata Banerjee.