ED–Bengal Standoff Escalates as Mamata Banerjee Hits Streets, Legal Battle Spills From High Court to Supreme Court

Kolkata: The political temperature in West Bengal surged on Friday as the face-off between the Union government and the Trinamool Congress sharpened over the Enforcement Directorate’s searches linked to election strategist firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally led a large protest march in Kolkata, turning the issue into a full-blown political flashpoint just months ahead of the Assembly elections.

As Banerjee mobilised supporters on the streets, the ED took the legal fight to the Supreme Court, seeking urgent intervention even as related petitions were being heard by the Calcutta High Court. The developments underscored the fast-escalating nature of the dispute, which now spans public protests, constitutional questions, and parallel court proceedings.

The matter took an unusual turn in the Calcutta High Court when Justice Suvra Ghosh, who was hearing multiple petitions related to the raids, stepped away from the courtroom citing overcrowding. With the court set to remain closed over the weekend, the hearing has now been deferred to Wednesday, prolonging uncertainty around the case.

At the heart of the controversy are ED searches conducted in connection with an alleged coal smuggling investigation. The agency has claimed that during its operation at the residence of I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain, the chief minister intervened and removed electronic devices and documents. The ED has argued that this amounted to obstruction of official duty and has sought judicial scrutiny into the incident.

I-PAC has been closely associated with the Trinamool Congress’s election planning, and the party has alleged that the central agency’s actions were politically motivated. According to the TMC, the searches were aimed at accessing sensitive campaign-related material ahead of the upcoming polls. Jain and the party have filed counter-petitions, challenging the ED’s claims and questioning the timing of the raids.

Meanwhile, Banerjee’s protest march from Jadavpur to Hazra Crossing drew thousands of party workers and supporters, turning a legal dispute into a mass political mobilisation. Senior Trinamool leaders accused the BJP of misusing central agencies to intimidate political rivals and influence the electoral process in Bengal.

The BJP, however, dismissed these charges and went on the offensive. Party leaders accused the West Bengal chief minister of shielding corruption and alleged that her actions during the ED operation raised serious questions. BJP spokespersons claimed that the incident warranted a deeper investigation, arguing that no constitutional authority is above the law.