Calcutta High Court to Hear ED’s Plea Against Alleged Interference by CM Mamata Banerjee

​The political landscape in West Bengal has reached a boiling point this January 2026. What began as a standard financial investigation has transformed into a massive constitutional face-off between the central government and the state leadership. At the heart of this storm is the Enforcement Directorate, known as the ED, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Calcutta High Court has now been pulled into the middle of this high-stakes drama as it prepares to hear a plea that could change the rules of how central agencies operate within states.

​The central agency has made a move that is almost unheard of in Indian politics. They have officially approached the court to file a plea against a sitting Chief Minister. The allegations are serious: the ED claims that Mamata Banerjee personally interfered with their official duties during a raid, leading to what they describe as a "breakdown of law and order."

​The Incident That Sparked the Legal Battle

​The drama unfolded on Thursday, January 8, 2026, when ED officials arrived at the residence of Pratik Jain, the director of the political consultancy firm I-PAC. This firm is well-known for managing the election campaigns of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The agency stated that their search was part of a money-laundering probe connected to a coal smuggling case from 2020.

​According to the ED’s petition, the search was going "peacefully and professionally" until the Chief Minister arrived at the scene. They allege that Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by senior state police officials, entered the premises while the raid was still active. The agency claims that she did not just visit, but actively hindered their work. In a shocking accusation, the ED says that "key evidence," including physical documents and electronic devices, was forcibly removed from their custody during the commotion.

​Why the I-PAC Raids Are So Sensitive

​To understand why this situation escalated so quickly, one must look at the timing. West Bengal is gearing up for its Assembly Elections later in 2026. I-PAC is the engine room of the TMC’s election strategy. The Chief Minister has openly accused the central government of using the ED as a "political tool" to steal her party’s internal data, candidate lists, and campaign plans.

​Mamata Banerjee’s defense is that she went to the site to protect the democratic process. She argues that the ED was not looking for "coal scam" evidence but was instead trying to "loot" sensitive political information that belongs to her party. By entering the premises, she claims she was standing up against a "murder of democracy." The clash is no longer just about a coal scam; it is about whether a central agency has the right to access the internal strategy of a rival political party under the guise of an investigation.

​Chaos in the Calcutta High Court

​When the matter first reached the Calcutta High Court on Friday, January 9, the atmosphere was anything but judicial. The hearing, presided over by Justice Suvra Ghosh, had to be adjourned due to an "unmanageable crowd" and extreme commotion inside the courtroom.

​Justice Ghosh noted that a large number of advocates and supporters had entered the room, creating such a disturbance that a fair hearing was impossible. Despite several requests from the bench to maintain decorum, the noise continued, forcing the court to push the hearing to January 14, 2026. This delay has only added to the tension, as both sides are now using this time to build their public narratives and prepare for a legal battle that will likely go all the way to the Supreme Court.

​The ED’s Demand for a CBI Probe

​In a bold move, the ED is not just asking for an apology or a stop to the interference. They are asking the Calcutta High Court to order a CBI investigation against Mamata Banerjee herself, as well as the State Director General of Police (DGP) and the Kolkata Police Commissioner.

​The agency argues that because the state police were allegedly "in collusion" with the Chief Minister to obstruct the raid, only an independent central agency like the CBI can conduct a fair investigation into the incident. They are seeking the "restoration to lawful custody" of all the digital devices and folders that were reportedly taken away. They want the court to declare the obstruction of their proceedings as "unconstitutional and wholly illegal."

​The State’s Counter-Attack and Protests

​The West Bengal government and the TMC are not sitting back. They have filed their own counter-petitions in the High Court. Their primary demand is the return of all materials seized by the ED, claiming the data is private and unrelated to any criminal activity.

​Simultaneously, the battle has spilled onto the streets. Mamata Banerjee led a massive protest march in Kolkata, declaring that "Bengal will not bow down." In Delhi, TMC members of parliament staged a dharna outside the Home Ministry, accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of masterminding the raids to intimidate the opposition. The state police have even registered FIRs against ED officials for "criminal intimidation and trespass," creating a bizarre situation where both the hunters and the hunted are filing cases against each other.

​What Is at Stake for Indian Federalism?

​This case is much bigger than a dispute between a Chief Minister and a central agency. It touches on the very core of Indian federalism—the balance of power between the Centre and the States. If the court rules in favor of the ED, it could set a precedent that central agencies have total immunity from state intervention, even if a Chief Minister is present.

​On the other hand, if the court finds that the ED overstepped its bounds by raiding a political consultancy firm just before an election, it could lead to stricter guidelines on how and when these agencies can conduct searches. The legal world is watching closely to see how the court handles the "theft of evidence" charge versus the "theft of data" charge.

​Looking Ahead to January 14

​As we wait for the hearing on January 14, the political temperature in Bengal remains at an all-time high. The outcome of this case will likely influence the momentum of the 2026 election campaign. If the documents and hard disks are returned to I-PAC, it will be seen as a massive victory for Mamata Banerjee. If they remain in ED custody or are handed over to the CBI, the TMC could face a significant strategic setback.

​The Calcutta High Court now has the difficult task of restoring order not just in its courtroom, but in the chaotic relationship between the state and the central government. Both sides are digging in their heels, and neither seems ready to back down. This is a story of power, law, and politics that is far from over.