The political temperature in West Bengal has just hit boiling point. In an unprecedented move, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has gone straight to the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court, with explosive allegations against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself. The core of this firestorm? The recent raids on the political consultancy firm I-PAC and the ED’s claim that the CM didn’t just interfere—but actively destroyed evidence.
Table of Contents
- The ED’s Supreme Court Charge
- What is I-PAC and Why is it Under Scrutiny?
- The Mamata Banerjee ED Case: Allegations in Detail
- West Bengal Government’s Response
- Political Fallout and National Implications
- Conclusion: The Road Ahead
- Sources
The ED’s Supreme Court Charge
The Enforcement Directorate has formally approached the Supreme Court, seeking urgent intervention in what it describes as a severe obstruction of a critical money laundering investigation . The agency isn’t mincing words; it has directly accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, of actively impeding its work .
The ED’s primary request is for the top court to order the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against these high-ranking officials. This isn’t just a procedural complaint—it’s a direct legal challenge to the head of the state government, alleging a criminal conspiracy to shield suspects and derail a federal investigation.
What is I-PAC and Why is it Under Scrutiny?
At the heart of this controversy is Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), a prominent political consultancy firm known for its strategic advisory role in various election campaigns across India . The ED’s interest in I-PAC stems from its connection to a much older and serious case: an alleged coal smuggling scam.
The original predicate offense was a CBI case filed in 2020. The ED’s probe, operating under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), alleges that proceeds of this crime—amounting to nearly ₹10 crore—were funneled to I-PAC through complex hawala channels . Raids were conducted on January 8, 2026, at I-PAC’s Kolkata office and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain .
The Mamata Banerjee ED case: Allegations in Detail
The most damning claims from the ED paint a dramatic scene. According to their petition, on the day of the raids, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally arrived at the search locations, accompanied by a contingent of Kolkata Police officers . The agency alleges she then proceeded to forcibly remove what they describe as “key evidence” from the premises.
This allegedly seized evidence includes:
- Physical documents that could link financial transactions to the coal scam.
- Electronic devices and storage media containing crucial digital data .
Furthermore, the ED claims its own officers were threatened and intimidated by the police force acting under the CM’s direction, effectively halting their investigation in its tracks . These actions, the agency argues, constitute a clear case of evidence tampering and obstruction of justice, which are serious criminal offenses under Indian law.
West Bengal Government’s Response
Unsurprisingly, the West Bengal government has fired back with equal vigor. It has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, a legal instrument that ensures the court will not pass any orders on the ED’s petition without first hearing the state’s side of the story .
The state’s narrative is one of defending citizens’ rights against an overreaching central agency. They argue that the ED’s actions were illegal and that the CM was merely ensuring the raid was conducted within the bounds of the law. The government has also highlighted that two separate police complaints were filed—one by the CM’s office and another by Pratik Jain’s family—against the ED officials for their alleged misconduct during the searches [[7], [18]]. This sets up a classic federal clash between the Union government’s investigative agencies and a powerful state administration.
Political Fallout and National Implications
This isn’t just a legal battle; it’s a full-blown political war with national ramifications. The ruling BJP at the Centre has seized on the ED’s allegations, accusing Mamata Banerjee of blatant corruption and an attempt to destroy evidence . For the Trinamool Congress (TMC), this is a fight for its political survival, framing the ED’s move as a politically motivated witch-hunt designed to destabilize a key opposition leader.
The outcome of this case in the Supreme Court will have far-reaching consequences. It will set a precedent for how future conflicts between central investigative agencies and state governments are handled. It also raises critical questions about the autonomy of state police forces and the limits of a Chief Minister’s power to intervene in a central agency’s operations. This case is being watched closely by every major political party in the country as a test of federal balance and institutional integrity.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The Mamata Banerjee ED case represents a dangerous escalation in the already fraught relationship between the Centre and West Bengal. With the ED accusing the state’s highest executive of criminal conduct and the state government branding the ED as a political tool, the stage is set for a protracted and bitter legal and political battle. The Supreme Court now holds the keys to this volatile situation. Its decision on whether to allow the FIR and how to manage the competing narratives will be pivotal, not just for the individuals involved, but for the very fabric of India’s federal democracy. One thing is certain: this story is far from over.
Sources
- Livelaw News Network. “ED Moves Supreme Court Alleging Interference By WB CM Mamata Banerjee In I-PAC Probe.” January 10, 2026.
- Daily Excelsior. “I-PAC raids: ED moves SC against ‘interference’ by CM Mamata Banerjee; WB govt files caveat.” January 11, 2026.
- The Hindu. “ED moves Supreme Court seeking CBI FIR against WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for obstructing I-PAC raids.”
- India Today. “ED Approaches Supreme Court for Urgent Hearing in I-PAC Case, Alleges Interference by Mamata Banerjee.”
- Times of India. “I-PAC raids: ED makes big charge against Mamata in SC; accuses CM of obstructing probe, destroying evidence.”
- NDTV. “Explained: What the I-PAC Row in West Bengal Is About.”
- Business Standard. “ED alleges Mamata Banerjee forcibly removed evidence during I-PAC raids.”