The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a petition claiming that its search operations at the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and co-founder Pratik Jain’s residence were obstructed by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The ED stated that its officials faced resistance during the raids, hindering their duties as per the law. The agency also expressed concerns that the interference compromised the integrity of its investigation.
Seeking urgent judicial intervention, the ED’s move was met with a caveat filed by the West Bengal government at the Supreme Court. The state government requested that no orders be passed without hearing their side, ensuring no interim relief for the Central agency without their input. This development followed the Calcutta High Court’s rejection of the ED’s plea for an urgent hearing on the raid controversies.
The ED accused the Chief Minister of misusing her position by obstructing the agency’s officials during the search operations. Additionally, the agency called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter, naming the Chief Minister as a party to the petition. The ED also sought an investigation into senior police officials allegedly accompanying Mamata Banerjee during the operations.
Counter-petitions were also filed, with Pratik Jain and the Trinamool Congress responding to the situation. The Trinamool Congress alleged that the ED’s raid targeted documents related to their 2026 Assembly election strategy, suggesting a political motive.
