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A late-night search, allegations of interference, and a rare legal escalation- the Enforcement Directorate has approached the Supreme Court over its West Bengal operation. What really happened during the I-PAC raid is now set for judicial scrutiny.
Centre agency takes Mamata government to Supreme Court for I-PAC raid case
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court of India with a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging developments arising from its recent raid on the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) in West Bengal and alleged obstruction by the state government.
A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul M Pancholi is scheduled to hear the ED’s plea, which seeks judicial intervention into what the central probe agency describes as interference and obstruction by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other state officials during the January 8 searches.
The ED’s petition to the apex court comes amid a jurisdictional tussle following parallel proceedings at the Calcutta High Court. The High Court recently disposed of a petition by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) seeking protection of sensitive data allegedly seized by the ED, noting that the Enforcement Directorate has stated it “did not seize any documents” during the I-PAC operation. The court also observed that the issues raised overlapped with those in the SLP already filed before the Supreme Court, prompting it to adjourn further hearing.
In its Supreme Court filing, the ED has alleged that: The West Bengal government obstructed the agency’s lawful search and seizure operation at I-PAC’s offices and the residence of its co-founder, Pratik Jain.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee entered the search premises and removed documents, electronic devices and other material, which the ED claims could be relevant to its ongoing money-laundering probe.
The alleged actions of the state executives intimidated ED officers and hindered the investigation, prompting the agency to seek directions for a CBI investigation into the interference.
The petition names the State of West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Director General of Police, the Kolkata Police Commissioner, and other senior police officials as respondents.
The West Bengal government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, indicating its intention to contest any order passed in the ED’s absence and ensure its arguments are heard before any judicial relief is granted.
TMC leaders have denied accusations that the party’s internal data was seized or misused, asserting that the ED’s actions represent undue overreach into political and electoral strategy. The High Court’s disposal of the TMC petition came after the ED clarified in court that no documents were actually seized.
ED approaches SC over I-PAC raid controversy; Demands FIR against Mamata Banerjee and officials
The dispute traces to search operations conducted on January 8, 2026, as part of the ED’s investigation into alleged money laundering connected to coal pilferage and other financial irregularities involving I-PAC. ED claims the matter is of significant investigative importance and any obstruction must be addressed by the highest court.
The Supreme Court is expected to take up the ED’s SLP and may hear arguments from both the ED and the West Bengal government. The ED is seeking directions that could include directing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry or safeguarding the integrity of its ongoing probe.
As proceedings unfold, the matter continues to spotlight institutional tensions between a central investigative agency and a state government, with high political and legal stakes as West Bengal prepares for upcoming elections.
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