Probe Abhishek Banerjee, wife in coal theft case: Supreme Court to ED

We will not tolerate if any kind of infraction, interference, obstruction or hooliganism takes place, the apex court bench told the state government

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to interrogate TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee and his wife in Kolkata, instead of Delhi, in a case related to the West Bengal coal theft scam.

A three-judge bench, presided over by Justice U U Lalit, said the couple can be quizzed in Kolkata on a 24-hour notice.

The top court, however, took into record apprehension by Additional Solicitor General S V Raju against possible obstruction to the ED officers.

"We will not tolerate if any kind of infraction, interference, obstruction or hooliganism takes place," the bench, also comprising Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia, told the state government counsel.

The court also directed the state government not to take any coercive action against the interrogating officers in case a complaint is filed by anyone against them.

It also told the state government to provide adequate protection to the ED officers.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and Abhishek M Singhvi, appearing for the couple, challenged the Delhi High Court's order which dismissed their challenge to the ED's summons, for appearance in Delhi, issued in connection with a money laundering case linked to the West Bengal coal scam.

The law officer opposed the plea contending that the petitioners are potential accused in the case and should be allowed to be interrogated in Delhi.

The top court, however, passed the interim order in the matter and put it for further hearing, along with a similar plea by Nalini Chidambaram, on July 19.