SC’s remarks on West Bengal incident raise serious questions: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad “condemned the way constitutional norms were torn apart in West Bengal” when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attempted to stop Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during an investigation, saying the Supreme Court’s remarks during the hearing of the matter raise serious questions.

Addressing the media in Patna on Friday, the BJP leader also questioned the Opposition’s silence over the issue, saying “for the first time in the history of independent India, a Chief Minister snatched a file from an agency investigating corruption.”

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The Patna Sahib MP said, “It must be acknowledged that even during the Fodder Scam investigation, the CBI office in Patna was never attacked. This is the first time that a Chief Minister, along with her officials, stopped an ED investigation into corruption and the coal scam, forcibly took away files, and brought the investigation to a halt.”

He said that the government has informed the court that suspicious evidence was found, indicating that Rs 20 crore related to money laundering in the coal scam had been deposited with the I-PAC, making the investigation necessary. The total scam is estimated to be worth around Rs 3,000 crore.

Prasad said that the Supreme Court has made sharp remarks in this matter and has also issued a notice to the Chief Minister. The ED has demanded the suspension of the DGP. The next hearing will be held on 3 February. He expressed confidence that justice will be delivered.

Taking a jibe at the Opposition leaders, he said that those who speak about the Constitution and its protection every day are silent. Their double standards are now exposed before everyone.

“They are silent even on such grossly unconstitutional conduct. The people of the country have recognised their true face. The people of West Bengal will expose them through their votes,” he added.