Supreme Court Hears ED Plea Against Mamata Banerjee in I-PAC Raid Row
Supreme Court hears ED plea today against Mamata Banerjee over I-PAC raid obstruction.
The Supreme Court of India is set to hear on Thursday a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleging obstruction by West Bengal authorities, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during its recent simultaneous raids on the office of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its co-founder, Pratik Jain. The matter will be heard by a bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Sharma and Vipul M. Pancholi.
The ED has sought urgent judicial intervention, claiming that its officials faced resistance that prevented them from conducting searches in accordance with legal procedures. According to the agency, interference by state authorities compromised the integrity of the investigation into alleged irregularities connected to I-PAC.
Anticipating the ED’s petition, the West Bengal government filed a caveat with the Supreme Court, requesting that no orders be passed without hearing the state’s version. The caveat aims to ensure that the ED does not receive interim relief without the state being given an opportunity to respond.
Also Read: Police Launch Investigation Into Unidentified ED Personnel in I-PAC Raid
Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court addressed a separate petition accusing CM Mamata Banerjee of misusing her constitutional authority to obstruct the Central agency’s operations. Additional counter-petitions have been filed by Pratik Jain and the Trinamool Congress, intensifying the legal and political tussle.
In its counter-petition, the Trinamool Congress alleged that the ED raid was politically motivated. The party claimed the agency aimed to seize documents related to its voter-strategy operations for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls and potentially share them with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing tussle between the ED and the West Bengal government, with the Supreme Court now positioned to play a crucial role in determining whether the central agency can continue its investigation without state interference. The outcome is expected to have political ramifications ahead of next year’s crucial elections.
Also Read: Mamata Banerjee Takes to Kolkata Streets in Protest Over ED Raids at I-PAC
