The Supreme Court flags alleged interference in ED raids in Kolkata as a serious issue and plans a close review of allegations against CM Mamata Banerjee and top police officials.
New Delhi/Kolkata: The Supreme Court on Thursday described the alleged obstruction of Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids in Kolkata as a “very serious matter” and called the pattern of events “shocking.” A bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Vipul M Pancholi said it was deeply concerned about what allegedly happened during the raids and also about related developments at the Calcutta High Court.
The court said it would closely examine the allegations, including claims involving West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The hearing began earlier in the day, paused for lunch, and resumed at 2:00 PM IST. The case has brought renewed focus on growing tensions between the Centre and the West Bengal government over the functioning of central investigative agencies in the state.
ED Seeks CBI Probe, Action Against Top Police Officials
In its petition, the ED has sought a CBI investigation into the alleged obstruction of its officers. It has also demanded the immediate suspension of West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar and disciplinary action against other senior police officials for alleged misconduct and non-cooperation.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, told the court that this was not an isolated incident. He said such interference has happened repeatedly and has seriously affected the functioning of central agencies. According to him, the actions amount to the “theft of crucial evidence” and have demoralised ED officers.
As per live court updates, the Supreme Court is expected to issue notices seeking responses from all parties involved.
A brief overview of this issue: the January 8 ED raids
The raids conducted on January 8, 2026 by the Enforcement Directorate are connected to the problem. The I-PAC office in Salt Lake and the home of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain were both searched by ED teams that day in Kolkata.
These raids were part of a money laundering investigation connected to the coal smuggling case of 2020, which forms the basis of the ED’s probe.
I-PAC is a political consultancy firm that works closely with the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The ED has claimed that the premises contained sensitive election-related data.
According to the ED, its officers faced deliberate obstruction from the West Bengal Police, including from DGP Rajeev Kumar. The agency has also alleged direct interference by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claiming that she entered Pratik Jain’s residence during the raid and took away important documents.
The ED has described these actions as misconduct, non-cooperation, and obstruction of lawful duty, and said they were similar to earlier instances in the state.
Mamata Banerjee Rejects Allegations, Calls Raid Illegal
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly denied the ED’s claims. She has described the raids as malafide and illegal, stating that the agency was fully aware that I-PAC held sensitive political and election-related data.
She has alleged that the ED was attempting to access confidential TMC information under the pretext of an investigation. The Trinamool Congress has accused central agencies of political harassment, especially with West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for 2026.
Supreme Court Also Flags Concerns Over Calcutta High Court Events
The Supreme Court also expressed concern over the situation that unfolded at the Calcutta High Court during a related hearing on the ED raids. The bench said these developments were troubling and required careful examination.
As of the latest updates, the hearing is still underway. The court has indicated that it will continue to closely review all allegations and submissions before taking further steps.
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Mansi Sharma is a journalist covering Global Affairs, and wellness, known for turning complex ideas into sharp, engaging narratives. Her work is driven by curiosity, depth, and a constant urge to question and explore. When she’s not writing, you’ll often find her diving into new ideas—preferably with a cup of coffee in hand, one sip at a time.