New Delhi, March 18 -- The West Bengal government on Wednesday sought a reference to a five-judge Constitution Bench in the Supreme Court in the I-PAC raids case, arguing that the matter raises substantial questions of constitutional interpretation, particularly on Centre-State relations and the maintainability of the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) plea under Article 32 of the Constitution of India.

Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the State, submitted before a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Vishwanathan that the present proceedings cannot be adjudicated by a two-judge Bench as they involve foundational questions about the constitutional scheme.

He argued that the dispute concerns the correct forum and mechanis...