‘Terrorised’ In Bengal During I-PAC Searches; ED Tells Supreme Court, Seeks FIRs Against Mamta Banerjee

Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday told the Supreme Court of India that it had been ‘terrorised’ in West Bengal during recent searches at the office of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain in Kolkata.’

Appearing for the agency, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju rejected submissions that the ED had ‘weaponised’ its powers, responding that the agency had instead been terrorised. The remarks came after senior advocate Siddharth Luthra argued that the ED must justify the alleged weaponisation of its authority.

After Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Bench that a rejoinder was likely to be filed during the day, Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and K.V. Viswanathan posted the case for further hearing on March 18. The matter had earlier been adjourned due to the ill health of senior advocate Kapil Sibal.

ED Seeks FIRs Against CM, Top Police Officials

The ED has sought directions to register FIRs against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, alleging obstruction during simultaneous search operations.

In her counter-affidavit, Banerjee denied interference, stating her presence at the premises was limited to retrieving confidential and proprietary data belonging to the All India Trinamool Congress.

She said she visited the locations on January 8, 2026, after learning that sensitive political data linked to the party’s Assembly election strategy was being accessed.

Allegations Of Mala Fide Intent

The affidavit maintained that ED officials did not object to her request to retrieve devices and files, and that searches continued peacefully thereafter. It also argued that neither the Trinamool nor its officials are accused of the alleged coal scam.

Banerjee accused the ED of mala fide intent, questioning the timing of the searches ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections and alleging violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, including failure to produce audio or video recordings.

Earlier, on January 15, the Supreme Court stayed FIRs filed by the West Bengal Police against ED officials and directed preservation of CCTV footage and digital records from the searched premises.

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