I-PAC Row: Big Setback To Mamata Banerjee As Supreme Court Stays Proceedings Against ED officials, Issues Notice To Bengal Govt

I-Pac: In a major setback to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Thursday, the Supreme Court stayed all proceedings against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in connection with the raids conducted at the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain.

A bench led by Justice PK Mishra directed that the FIRs registered against ED officers by the West Bengal Police will remain stayed until the next hearing.

I-PAC row: What Court ordered?

The Supreme Court also directed the respondents to preserve CCTV footage and all other storage devices containing recordings related to the ED search operation. The bench said these materials would be crucial for examining the allegations made by both sides.

I-PAC row: SC flags ‘serious issue’ of interference in central agency probes

After hearing submissions from counsels representing both sides, the Supreme Court observed that the case raises a “serious issue” concerning alleged interference by state authorities in investigations carried out by central agencies such as the ED.

The court underlined that to uphold the rule of law, each agency central or state must be allowed to function independently, and no offender should be shielded under the protection of any state authority.

I-PAC row: Larger questions of law involved, says apex court

The bench noted that the matter involves larger questions of law and warned that leaving such issues undecided could worsen the situation and potentially lead to lawlessness in one or more states.

While stressing that no agency has the right to interfere in election-related work, the court added that when a central agency is acting bona fide to investigate a serious offence, its powers cannot be obstructed under the guise of party or political activity.

Notice issued to Bengal government

The Supreme Court issued notice to the West Bengal government and directed it to file a counter-affidavit within three days.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the state, requested that the investigation proceed without coercive measures and sought additional time to apply in case the stay continued. The court said it was important to record all submissions in detail, given the extensive arguments and the wide public attention to the case.

What is the I-PAC-ED row?

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at I-PAC’s office in Salt Lake, Kolkata, and at the residence of Pratik Jain on Loudon Street, as part of a money laundering probe linked to the alleged coal scam in West Bengal and suspected hawala transactions.

According to official sources quoted by PTI, the ED also raided eight other locations across Kolkata, with central paramilitary forces deployed during the searches.

Mamata Banerjee’s intervention during raids

During the raids, Mamata Banerjee visited Pratik Jain’s residence, claiming she had received information that documents related to her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), were being removed.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Banerjee, argued that nothing seized from I-PAC was relevant to the ED’s investigation, except election-related documents over which the agency had no jurisdiction. He also submitted that, as a Z-category protectee and TMC chairperson, Banerjee was accompanied by the state DGP as per protocol.

ED alleges ‘specific evidence’ against Pratik Jain

The ED has claimed it possesses “specific evidence” against Pratik Jain in connection with the coal scam case and related cash transactions. I-PAC, which provides political consultancy to the ruling TMC and manages its IT and media operations, has denied wrongdoing.

Banerjee accuses BJP of political vendetta

Following the raids, Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing central probe agencies to target regional parties.

“If you cannot fight us politically, defeat us democratically. Why are you using agencies to seize our papers, our strategy, our data?” Banerjee said, according to ANI.

ALSO READ: ED Moves Supreme Court Against WB Police Officials, Says ‘Legally Obtained Evidence Was Taken Away Illegally’, Seeks Suspension Of Bengal Cops Over Obstructed I-PAC Raid