ED Complains to Supreme Court Over Alleged Interference by Mamata Banerjee

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court seeking intervention in an escalating confrontation with the West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In a petition filed on January 10, 2026, the central probe agency alleged that senior state officials, acting with the support of the Chief Minister, obstructed its officers during searches related to an ongoing investigation into an alleged coal smuggling scam. The ED described the episode as a direct "showdown" between the state administration and federal investigative authorities.

The specific incident in question occurred during raids conducted at the residence of Pratik Jain, a director of the political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). According to the ED's petition, physical documents and electronic devices were forcibly removed from the premises in the presence of high-ranking West Bengal government officials. The agency claims these actions amounted to deliberate interference, preventing the seizure of critical evidence linked to its probe. I-PAC, which has been closely associated with election strategy for Banerjee's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of the crucial state assembly elections expected by April 2026, has come under scrutiny in this context.

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The matter reached the Calcutta High Court earlier, where the ED had filed a petition highlighting the alleged obstruction by Banerjee during the searches. However, the High Court adjourned the hearing, prompting the agency to escalate the issue to the Supreme Court within 24 hours. The ED's move underscores the growing friction between the central agency and the TMC-led state government, which has repeatedly accused the ED and other central probe bodies of politically motivated actions targeting opposition-ruled states.

This latest legal development is part of a broader pattern of tensions between the West Bengal administration and central agencies over multiple investigations, including those related to alleged financial irregularities and coal-related scams. The coal smuggling case has been a focal point of ED scrutiny in recent years, with several arrests and seizures already recorded in connection with the racket. The involvement of a prominent political consultancy firm has added a new dimension to the probe, raising questions about the intersection of political strategy and alleged economic offenses.

The Supreme Court's intervention is now awaited to clarify the extent of state authority during central agency operations and to address concerns over potential obstruction of justice. Both sides have maintained their positions, with the West Bengal government likely to counter the ED's claims in the apex court. The outcome of this petition could have significant implications for federal-state relations and the conduct of investigations in politically sensitive cases ahead of the upcoming West Bengal elections.

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