Supreme Court Flags ‘Very Serious’ Face-Off Between Mamata Banerjee and ED Over Kolkata Raids
The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed strong concern over the escalating confrontation between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Enforcement Directorate following controversial raids in Kolkata. Calling the situation a “very serious matter”, the apex court questioned the manner in which events unfolded and raised sharp observations on the atmosphere inside the Calcutta High Court during related proceedings.
The remarks came while the Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by the ED alleging obstruction and interference during searches conducted at premises linked to Indian Political Action Committee which has worked closely with the ruling Trinamool Congress.
Raids Trigger Political and Legal Storm
The Enforcement Directorate carried out searches earlier this month at the Kolkata office of I-PAC and at the residence of one of its directors in connection with an alleged money-laundering probe. According to the agency, its officials faced resistance during the operation and claimed that crucial evidence was removed while the search was still underway.
The situation escalated when Mamata Banerjee personally reached the site of the raid along with senior leaders and state police officials. The ED has alleged that her presence and actions disrupted the investigation and undermined the authority of a central agency acting under statutory powers.
The Chief Minister and the Trinamool Congress have strongly denied these allegations and accused the ED of acting with political motives.
‘Did the High Court Turn Into Jantar Mantar?’
While hearing the matter, the Supreme Court bench made pointed remarks on the scenes reported from the Calcutta High Court where earlier hearings were held. The bench questioned whether the courtroom had been reduced to a space for protest rather than judicial deliberation, asking if the High Court had “turned into Jantar Mantar”.
The court noted that reports of chaos inside the courtroom and repeated disruptions were deeply troubling and not in keeping with the dignity of judicial proceedings. It underlined that courts must function in an atmosphere of discipline and fairness regardless of the political sensitivities involved.
ED Alleges Obstruction by State Machinery
The ED has alleged that senior officials of the West Bengal government and state police acted in a manner that prevented its officers from carrying out their lawful duties. The agency claims that evidence was removed from the premises during the search and that its officers were surrounded and intimidated.
In its plea before the Supreme Court, the ED has sought protection for its officials and has also raised concerns over what it described as a pattern of interference by the state government in central investigations.
The agency has argued that such actions strike at the very foundation of the rule of law and weaken the functioning of institutions mandated to investigate economic offences.
TMC Calls Raids Politically Motivated
On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress has accused the ED of misusing its powers to target the party ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Party leaders have claimed that the raids were designed to harass political strategists and gain access to sensitive party data.
The Chief Minister has publicly stated that she intervened only to ensure transparency and to prevent what she described as unlawful seizure of data unrelated to any financial crime. The party maintains that no evidence was seized during the raids and that the ED’s claims are exaggerated.
High Stakes for Federal Balance
Legal experts see the case as having wider implications for Centre-state relations and the balance of power between elected state governments and central investigative agencies. The Supreme Court’s intervention signals that it intends to closely examine not only the conduct of the ED but also the actions of state authorities during the raids.
As the court prepares to issue notices and hear detailed arguments from both sides, the case is expected to set important benchmarks on courtroom conduct, institutional accountability and the limits of political intervention in ongoing investigations.
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