Kolkata, January 9, 2026: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved the Calcutta High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, certain state police officials, and others for allegedly obstructing the agency’s raid on political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata on Thursday.

The ED’s move follows a dramatic turn during its ongoing investigation into a coal smuggling racket, in which proceeds worth approximately ₹20 crore were allegedly funneled to I-PAC through domestic and international hawala channels, the agency said. In its writ petition before the court, the ED accused Banerjee of intimidating its officers, forcibly seizing digital devices and documents, and hijacking witnesses who were accompanying the agency’s team during the search.

Details of the Raid

The agency conducted coordinated searches at I-PAC’s office, the residence of its director Pratik Jain, and eight other locations in Kolkata. According to the petition reviewed by HT, the searches were progressing peacefully from 6:30 am to 12:40 pm when Mamata Banerjee allegedly arrived at Jain’s residence. The ED claims she forcibly removed documents and a laptop, interfering with the investigation. Banerjee, however, contended that the ED was attempting to seize her party’s internal documents and sensitive data related to the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, including the candidate list.

The ED’s plea details that the coal smuggling case, initiated in 2020, revealed that the criminal proceeds had been routed through hawala channels to I-PAC, which had provided political consultancy to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC)and the West Bengal government since 2021, including activities in Goa during 2021–22.

Allegations Against Mamata Banerjee and Police Officials

The petition stated that the raid was conducted in accordance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)and was progressing without incident until Banerjee, accompanied by police officials including Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma and Deputy Commissioner Priyobrato, intervened.

According to the ED:

• Priyobrato visited the premises, claiming a complaint of house trespass during the search. ED officers verified their identity cards and search authorization to him.
• Commissioner Verma then entered the premises. During a briefing about the search proceedings, Banerjee reportedly entered despite repeated requests not to interfere.
• With assistance from state police personnel, Banerjee allegedly forcibly seized all digital devices and key documents, leaving the premises around 12:15 pm.

The ED described these actions as a direct assault on the statutory powers of the investigating agency, claiming that when political executives use state machinery to obstruct legal investigations, it undermines the rule of law.

The agency further alleged that Banerjee and the police intimidated witnesses, compelling them to certify that the search had been conducted peacefully and that no documents or devices were taken. In reality, the ED claimed, critical digital evidence and incriminating documents were forcibly removed and concealed.

Legal Relief Sought

In its plea, the ED has urged the Calcutta High Court to:

1. Direct the CBI to register a case and investigate the obstruction, including the role of Mamata Banerjee, police officials, and others.
2. Seize, seal, and forensically preserve all digital devices, electronic records, storage media, and documents forcibly removed from the search premises.
3. Restore these materials to the ED to ensure the ongoing investigation into the coal smuggling racket continues unhindered.

The plea contended that the actions amounted to criminal trespass, theft, destruction of evidence, intimidation, and wrongful confinement of ED officers. The agency emphasized that its search was part of a continuing investigation, aimed at tracing and understanding the flow of proceeds of crime and their utilisation by I-PAC and affiliated entities.

Background of the Coal Smuggling Investigation

The investigation into the coal smuggling syndicate began in 2020 and has since uncovered a sophisticated network of illegal coal extraction, movement, and financial transactions. According to ED, the illicit gains were transferred to political consultancy firms, including I-PAC, which allegedly received funds in Goa for electoral and strategic political services.

The agency’s focus during the January 8 raid was to trace proceeds of crime and recover key records and digital evidence to facilitate further action under the PMLA. The ED claimed that the search was conducted transparently and in accordance with legal provisions until the alleged interference by the political executive and police officers.

Political Implications

The incident has raised serious questions about the independence of investigative agencies in India, particularly when high-ranking political officials allegedly use their position to obstruct lawful proceedings. The ED emphasized that such acts, if left unchecked, threaten the constitutional principle of separation of powers and undermine public trust in the enforcement of law.

Banerjee, for her part, has maintained that her actions were aimed at protecting sensitive party data and have denied any wrongdoing. She claimed that the ED was attempting to seize internal communications and strategy documents related to the upcoming assembly elections, framing her intervention as a political and protective measure rather than obstruction.

The TMC has also described the ED’s petition as an attempt to politicize the agency’s actions, asserting that the Chief Minister’s presence during the search was lawful and did not interfere with any legal process.

Next Steps

The Calcutta High Court will now examine the ED’s plea and consider whether a CBI investigation is warranted. The court may also decide on measures to recover and preserve the digital devices and documents allegedly taken from the premises. The proceedings are expected to draw national attention, given the high-profile nature of the case and the involvement of the sitting Chief Minister.

The case underscores the complex intersection of politics and law enforcement in India, particularly when investigations involve ruling party officials and sensitive political organizations. It also highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring that statutory agencies can operate without political interference, especially in matters involving large financial fraud and money laundering.

As of now, the status of the seized devices and documents remains unclear, and the court’s response will be pivotal in determining whether the CBI can independently investigate the alleged obstruction and examine the flow of illicit funds linked to the coal smuggling case.

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