The Calcutta High Court is set to hear a high-stakes legal battle on January 14, following the filing of counter petitions by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) related to raids conducted at the offices of political consultancy firm I-PAC. The central agency has sought a CBI investigation against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly obstructing its operations, while the ruling party has demanded the return of all materials seized during the search.
ED's 12-Point Petition Seeks CBI Probe and Evidence Preservation
In a significant move, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a petition before the Calcutta High Court containing 12 key points. The agency has requested the court to issue a writ of mandamus directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR and investigate the entire incident of alleged obstruction. The ED's plea specifically mentions the role of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, police officials, and others who acted in concert during the raid at the I-PAC office and the residence of its official, Pratik Jain, on Thursday.
The ED's petition, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, alleges that Mamata Banerjee and other TMC leaders hindered the investigation. The agency has asked the court to declare such obstruction and the alleged wrongful confinement of its officers as unconstitutional and wholly illegal.
Furthermore, the ED has sought urgent interim directions for the seizure, sealing, and forensic preservation of all documents taken from its custody. It has demanded the restoration of all digital devices, electronic records, and storage media that were "illegally and forcibly taken away" from the search premises. The agency has also requested the court to order the preservation and submission of CCTV footage from both the raided premises and nearby areas.
TMC's Counter-Plea Alleges Illegal Seizure and Harassment
In a parallel development, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has filed its own petition in the same court. The party has sought a directive for the return of all articles, including private, confidential, and sensitive data and documents in both physical and electronic form, that were allegedly seized illegally during the ED's search operation.
The TMC's plea requests the court to command the respondent authorities to act strictly in accordance with the law and to refrain from harassing the party, its members, agents, or assigns. It also seeks a declaration that all actions taken by the ED concerning the seized data of the petitioner are void and illegal. The party has accused the central agency of overreach, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claiming the ED was "trying to get details of all our party activities and plans."
Courtroom Chaos and Adjourned Hearing
The hearing before Justice Suvra Ghosh witnessed chaotic scenes, leading the judge to rise from the chair before the petitions could be taken up. Due to the disorder in the courtroom, Justice Ghosh adjourned the matter and set the next date for hearing on January 14. This postponement sets the stage for a major judicial examination of the confrontational episode that has escalated tensions between the West Bengal government and central agencies.
The ED, in its plea, has also asked the court to pass interim orders to prevent any access, deletion, cloning, or tampering with the seized digital devices. It has further sought protection for its officers from any coercive action by the state authorities in connection with the search operation.
This legal clash underscores the deepening political rift in West Bengal, with the state's ruling party and central investigative agencies locked in a fierce battle that is now playing out in the hallways of the Calcutta High Court.
