Political Turmoil in West Bengal: ED and I-PAC Clash in Court
The political scene in West Bengal is heating up as the Enforcement Directorate and I-PAC face off in court following a controversial raid. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the ED of obstructing justice and misusing power, while the agency claims interference during its investigation. With a hearing scheduled and protests planned, the situation is poised to escalate further, raising questions about political motivations and the integrity of the electoral process. This clash could have significant implications for the state's political landscape in the lead-up to the elections.
| Jan 8, 2026, 21:54 IST
Political Tensions Rise in West Bengal
The political landscape in West Bengal has become increasingly tumultuous as both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the political consultancy I-PAC have approached the Kolkata High Court. This development follows a raid conducted by the ED at the office and residence of I-PAC head Pratik Jain.
According to reports, the ED has alleged that the arrival of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee obstructed the investigation and interfered with evidence collection, while I-PAC has raised questions regarding the legitimacy of the raid.
Both matters have been brought before Justice Suvra Ghosh, with a hearing expected on Friday. On the same day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a march in protest against the actions of the central agency. Reports indicate that the ED claims the Chief Minister arrived at Pratik Jain's residence in South Kolkata during the raid, where important documents and electronic devices were reportedly seized.
The ED further alleges that the Chief Minister later visited I-PAC's corporate office in Salt Lake, where documents and digital evidence were allegedly forcibly removed in the presence of her associates and police. The agency has requested judicial intervention from the High Court to ensure the investigation proceeds without any pressure or interruptions.
In response, Mamata Banerjee has categorically denied these allegations, asserting that the central agency is attempting to seize sensitive internal documents, hard drives, and electoral strategy data from the Trinamool Congress. She labeled this as a politically motivated act of revenge, accusing the central government of misusing agencies ahead of the assembly elections.
While speaking to the media outside Pratik Jain's residence, the Chief Minister directly targeted Home Minister Amit Shah, questioning whether it is the ED's role to seize a party's candidate list and internal documents. She also posed a rhetorical question about the consequences if a raid were conducted at the BJP office, casting doubt on the intentions behind the actions taken.
Additionally, the Chief Minister criticized the ongoing voter list revision (SIR) in the state, claiming that names of voters are being removed ahead of the elections. Meanwhile, the ED conducted raids at a total of 15 locations across six states on Thursday, including Pratik Jain's residence, as part of an investigation into alleged illegal mining, money laundering, and political connections.
It is noteworthy that the action against I-PAC is linked to a separate case involving a purported fake government job scam. I-PAC serves as the political consultancy for the Trinamool Congress and is responsible for managing the party's IT and media strategies. This entire episode is evolving into a significant point of contention both legally and politically, with potential ramifications expected to intensify in the coming days.