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The ED told the Supreme Court that there is no democracy in West Bengal, only mob rule, as it accused Mamata Banerjee of obstructing I-PAC raids.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee outside Pratik Jain’s residence. (PTI)
The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) petition against West Bengal Chief Mamata Banerjee for alleged interference during raids at I-PAC headquarters and its director Pratik Jain’s residence in Kolkata on January 8.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, alleged a “shocking state of affairs” in West Bengal, where the CM and top police officials barged into the premises during search operations and brazenly seized incriminating evidence tied to a coal smuggling scam.
Notably, the ED filed a fresh application seeking the suspension of the top brass of the West Bengal police, including DGP Rajiv Kumaralleging that they aided Mamata Banerjee ion obstructing the raids at the I-PAC office and removal of evidence.
During the hearing, the ED argued that the DGP accompanied Mamata Banerjee to the sites where it was conducting searches, and several police officers sat on dharna with political leaders protesting against the raids.
Mehta also said that ED officers had informed local police about the searches, which was authorised under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). “CM Mamata Banerjee took away all the files. This is theft. She took an ED officer’s phone as well. This will only encourage such acts, and the central forces will be demoralised. The state will feel they can barge in, commit theft and then sit on a dharna. Let an example be set,” he added.
January 15, 2026, 12:01 IST
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