Supreme Court Notice issued to Mamata Banerjee as the apex court stays FIRs against ED officials over I-PAC raids, orders preservation of CCTV footage, and seeks responses within two weeks.
By Qalam Times News Network
New Delhi | January 16, 2026
Supreme court steps in amid clash between central agency and West Bengal government over I-PAC raids
Supreme Court Notice proceedings took a decisive turn on Thursday as the Supreme Court of India issued formal notice to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior state officials while granting interim relief to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The apex court stayed further action on multiple FIRs lodged by the West Bengal Police against ED officers in connection with controversial raids on political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata.
Hearing an ED plea seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, the court also directed that Supreme Court Notice be served on West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar. The ED has accused state authorities of obstructing its search operations at I-PAC’s office and at the residence of its co-founder, Pratik Jain. The bench asked all respondents, including the chief minister, to submit their replies within two weeks.
A bench comprising Justice P. K. Mishra and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi observed that the matter raises serious concerns. The judges noted that, at first glance, the petition points to potential interference by state agencies in investigations conducted by central authorities, including the Enforcement Directorate.
In a significant direction, the Supreme Court ordered the preservation of all CCTV footage and electronic records related to the search operations. The ED has further requested the return of documents and digital devices it claims were removed from the I-PAC premises by Chief Minister Banerjee during the raid.
The case stems from a tense confrontation last week when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee entered the I-PAC office in Kolkata while ED officials were carrying out searches linked to an alleged money-laundering investigation. The chief minister reportedly took away documents and electronic items, later stating that they contained sensitive information related to her political party.
I-PAC has been closely associated with the All India Trinamool Congress since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, a factor that has added political weight to the unfolding legal battle. The Supreme Court’s intervention has now placed a temporary halt on state-level action against ED officials, while the broader questions of jurisdiction and interference await further judicial scrutiny.
