Megha Datta v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

17.04.2025 Item No.1 PG/KS Ct. No.1 W.P.A.(P) 159 of 2024 Megha Datta

Versus

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Atarup Banerjee Mr. Samit Bhanja Mr. Rajdeep Pramanick .........For the Petitioner Mr. Samrat Sen, Ld. AAAG Mr. Suman Ghosh ...........For the State Ms. Amrita Pandey Ms. Sneha Singh .....For the Respondent Nos.10 to 13 Mr. S. Chowdhury Mr. Karan Bapuli .....For the Respondent No.16 Md. Zohaib Rauf .....For the Respondent No.19

1. This writ petition has been filed as a public interest litigation praying for a direction to initiate proper investigation by incorporating the provisions of the Money Laundering Act, 2022 and handing over the entire investigation to the respondent nos.8 and 9, who are the Directorate of Enforcement.

2. When the matter was heard on the earlier occasion, several directions were issued and in the order dated 12th December, 2024, the Court observed that the concern is over the utilization of the resources from the foreign country and taking up citizenship through an unfair means and direction was issued to the police authorities to show alacrities into the investigation and take all possible steps as permissible in law so as to bring it to the logical conclusion at an earliest.

3. Learned advocate appearing for the respondent/State submitted that investigation has been completed and chargesheet has been filed under the provisions of the Foreigners

Act, also keeping a provision under Section 173(8) of the Act, in the event, any further material surfaces as against the respondent/accused.

4. The concerned Court before whom the charge-sheet has been filed, shall take effective steps for commital of case to the Sessions Court at the earliest so that the trial can commence and be completed as expeditiously as possible.

5. With the aforesaid observations/directions, the writ petition stands disposed of.

6. No costs.

7. Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be furnished to the parties expeditiously upon compliance of all legal formalities.

8.

(T.S SIVAGNANAM) CHIEF JUSTICE (CHAITALI CHATTERJEE (DAS), J.)