.
KOLKATA: Union home ministry on Friday sought a report from ED and CRPF on the sequence of events that transpired on Thursday involving ED’s searches at I-PAC office in Kolkata and at the residence of its chief Pratik Jain, reports Rohit Khanna. ED officials, who were part of the searches, have already filed a report with Union finance ministry. Agency officials alleged CM Mamata Banerjee entered the premises with police and “forcibly took away digital devices and key incriminating documents”. ED maintained that the operations were part of a probe into an alleged multi-crore coal pilferage scam. Meanwhile, CRPF sources said security of ED officials may be stepped up soon. Kolkata cops file FIR against ED, CRPF personnel: Meanwhile, Kolkata Police lodged a suo motu complaint against unidentified ED and CRPF personnel on charges of trespassing and obstruction in connection with search at residence of I-PAC director Pratik Jain on Thursday, reports Dwaipayan Ghosh. Police say they were prevented from entering Jain’s residence for hours and that force was used against a DC and his team. Sources claim no prior intimation was given to local police, contrary to the usual practice. Sources said there was no way to identify those present in front of Jain’s house, as no search warrant was shown. Instead, ED officials asked for uniformed police’s ID and even pushed a sergeant.
