New Delhi, January 16, 2026: Yesterday, the Supreme Court stepped in strongly on the Enforcement Directorate’s plea over the messy I-PAC raid in Kolkata. The bench, led by Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi, described the whole situation as a “very serious issue” that touches on how central agencies can do their work without state governments getting in the way.
The ED told the court that on January 8, when their officers were searching the office of I-PAC (a firm linked to Trinamool Congress) and the home of its co-founder Pratik Jain, things went wrong. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee showed up with top police officers, created obstruction, took away key documents and even an ED officer’s phone. They say this stopped the search, and important evidence linked to a coal smuggling and money laundering case disappeared.
The agency wants a CBI probe into Mamata Banerjee and others, plus the return of whatever was taken.
From the Bengal side, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal pushed back hard. He said the claims are false, pointed to ED’s own records showing nothing was seized that day, and argued the matter should stay in the Calcutta High Court where it was already being heard.
The Supreme Court made its stand clear: If state police or officials block central probes into serious crimes, it can lead to lawlessness and hurt democracy. Everyone must let agencies work freely.
In a relief for ED, the court stayed all FIRs that Kolkata Police filed against their officers. It also told West Bengal authorities to safely preserve every bit of CCTV footage, digital devices, and records from the January 8 incident—no tampering allowed.
Notices went out to Mamata Banerjee, the DGP, Kolkata Police Commissioner, and others. They have two weeks to file their reply. The next hearing is set for February 3.
This ruling has added fuel to the ongoing Centre-state tensions in West Bengal, especially with assembly elections not too far away.
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