ED moves Supreme Court in I-PAC case, alleges interference by Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal govt

The Enforcement Directorate has moved the Supreme Court against the West Bengal government in the I-PAC raid case. The central agency, in its plea, reportedly alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led state government interfered with its search operations at the Kolkata headquarters of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and at the residence of its director, Pratik Jain. Incidentally, the state government had earlier today also filed a caveat seeking to be heard before any adverse order is passed.

The ED carried out searches on Thursday as part of a money laundering probe linked to an alleged multi-crore rupee coal pilferage scam.

According to the ED, Chief Minister Banerjee personally entered the premises during the raid and removed what the agency described as crucial evidence, including documents and electronic devices. Banerjee has denied the charge, accusing the central agency of exceeding its authority.


On Friday, the ED also moved the Calcutta High Court, claiming that the state police, allegedly acting at the chief minister’s behest, obstructed its officers during the January 8 operation. In its petition, the agency said the police failed to carry out their legal duties and prevented ED officials from exercising their powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

The High Court, however, postponed the hearing in the matter involving the ED and the Trinamool Congress until January 14, 2026, citing disruptions in the courtroom due to overcrowding.

In its detailed petition, the ED claimed that the situation worsened after the chief minister arrived at Pratik Jain’s residence during the raid and removed materials it described as incriminating. The agency said it had approached the court to protect the rule of law and to curb what it called interference by the state government and the police.

The developments triggered a political storm. The BJP’s West Bengal unit questioned I-PAC’s role in the state’s governance after Banerjee stated that the firm was authorised by the Trinamool Congress. In a post on X, the party asked why government documents were found in I-PAC’s office and whether the consultancy was influencing the functioning of the state administration.

Calling it a constitutional concern, the BJP alleged that bureaucrats were effectively taking instructions from a private agency and demanded an explanation from the chief minister.

On Friday, several Trinamool Congress MPs were detained in New Delhi while protesting outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s office against the ED’s actions. Banerjee condemned the detentions as “shameful and unacceptable,” accusing the BJP of applying different standards to protests by ruling party leaders and opposition members.