Political and Legal Controversy Erupts in Kolkata Over ED's Actions Against CM Mamata Banerjee
A political and legal storm brews in Kolkata as the Enforcement Directorate seeks to investigate Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Following a raid at the Indian Political Action Committee's office, the ED claims obstruction during their investigation. The Trinamool Congress has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated, raising concerns about the misuse of sensitive documents. With a court hearing scheduled, the outcome could significantly impact the relationship between state authorities and investigative agencies. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding situation.
| Jan 9, 2026, 22:26 IST
Kolkata Incident Sparks Major Controversy
The recent events in Kolkata have ignited significant political and legal disputes. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court, requesting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This petition was submitted following an incident where the ED was conducting searches at the office of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its co-founder, Pratik Jain, coinciding with the Chief Minister's arrival.
Court Hearing Scheduled
Notably, the hearing for this case is set for today at 2:30 PM before Justice Suvrat Ghosh in the Calcutta High Court. Additionally, the All India Trinamool Congress has filed a separate petition objecting to the seizure of documents allegedly related to the party from I-PAC's premises. Reports indicate that I-PAC has been collaborating with the Trinamool Congress since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
ED's Investigation Context
The ED claims that the searches are part of an investigation linked to a money laundering case registered in 2020 against businessman Anup Maji. According to the agency, Maji is allegedly running a coal smuggling network that illegally mines coal from Eastern Coalfields' leased areas and sells it to various factories. The ED asserts that transactions amounting to millions of rupees reached I-PAC through associated hawala operators.
Allegations of Interference
The agency has alleged that the Chief Minister's arrival during the searches obstructed the investigation, leading to the removal of certain documents and electronic evidence. The ED also claims that its officials were allegedly prevented from carrying out their duties and were obstructed from leaving the premises. Based on these claims, the ED has requested the court to direct the CBI to file an FIR to investigate the roles of Mamata Banerjee, state police officials, and other involved parties.
Trinamool Congress Responds
In response, the Trinamool Congress has categorically dismissed these allegations, labeling them as a “political vendetta” ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The party has expressed concerns about the potential misuse of sensitive documents related to its operations. All eyes are now on the High Court hearing, which will determine the future direction of the conflict between the investigative agencies and the state government.