ED Versus TMC In Court Today; Mamata Banerjee Calls Protest March As I-PAC Raids Spark Row

Last Updated:January 09, 2026, 08:47 IST

Mamata Banerjee will lead a protest in Kolkata today against ED raids on the I-PAC office, amid a political standoff with central agencies.

A file photo of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to lead a protest march in Kolkata on Friday, amid rising tensions with central agencies. The march will begin from the 8B Bus Stand and proceed to Hazra More at 2.00 pm.

The protest comes in response to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raids at the I-PAC office on Wednesday, linked to an alleged fake government job scam.

Addressing the issue, Banerjee said, “Starting at 6.00 am, they arrived and seized the party’s data, laptops, strategies, and mobile phones. Their forensic experts transferred all the data. I believe this is a crime."

She accused the central agency of unlawfully seizing party-related data, calling on Union Home Minister Amit Shah to contest democratically in West Bengal.

Banerjee maintained that I-PAC is not a private organisation but an authorised team of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), and that sensitive party documents, including data related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, were confiscated despite TMC being a registered political party that regularly submits income tax details.

ED ALLEGES OBSTRUCTION, MAINTAINS SEARCH BASED ON EVIDENCE

The Enforcement Directorate, however, has rejected allegations of political targeting.

In a statement, the agency said, “Banerjee entered the residential premises of Prateek Jain and took away key evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices."

“The Chief Minister’s convoy then proceeded to I-PAC’s office premises, from where Banerjee, her aides, and the state police personnel forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidence," it stated.

“The actions have resulted in obstruction in ongoing investigation and proceedings under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act)."

The ED further clarified, “No party office has been searched. The search is not linked to any elections and is part of a regular crackdown on money laundering."

“The search is conducted strictly in accordance with established legal safeguards."

The raids were based on the Central Bureau of Investigation’s FIR RC0102020A0022 dated November 27, 2020, against Anup Majee and others, concerning coal smuggling from Eastern Coalfields Limited leasehold areas.

TMC FILES CASE AGAINST ED; HEARING SCHEDULED

In response to the raids, the Trinamool Congress has filed a case against the Enforcement Directorate, and the hearing is scheduled for today.

Reports indicated that the ED has also approached the Calcutta High Court, alleging illegal interference during its search operations, which is expected to be heard by Justice Suvra Ghosh.

Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police have registered two cases against the ED, further escalating the standoff between the state administration and the central agency.

BJP HITS BACK, EMPHASIZES INDEPENDENCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed Mamata Banerjee’s actions during the raids, suggesting her attempts to remove files indicate efforts to obstruct justice.

In a statement on X, the BJP said, “If there is nothing to hide in West Bengal, why would a Chief Minister scramble to secure files from an official investigation site? The truth will eventually come out, and Bengal will vote for the BJP."

BJP West Bengal stressed the need for law enforcement agencies to operate independently, professionally, and without political interference.

“Any attempt to politicise lawful investigative processes or to undermine constitutional authorities only weakens public trust in institutions and the rule of law," the party added.

ABHISHEK BANERJEE TO VISIT BONGAON

Meanwhile, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee is scheduled to visit Bongaon, a constituency considered a Matua community stronghold.

This visit underscores the party’s ongoing electoral mobilisation, as the TMC works to consolidate support ahead of upcoming elections.

JP NADDA’S VISITS AND ORGANISATIONAL MEETING

BJP national president JP Nadda is also in West Bengal today. He held an extended organisational meeting with party functionaries and is scheduled to visit the Tata Cancer Centre and AIIMS Kalyani.

His visits signal the BJP’s focus on political engagement and outreach in the state, alongside its critique of the TMC’s handling of the ED raids.

COAL SMUGGLING INVESTIGATION BACKGROUND

The ED has identified the Shakambhari Group, an unlisted industrial group based in West Bengal, as a major end-user of illegally mined coal.

According to the agency, “A large part of the coal illegally extracted from ECL leasehold areas was sold to manufacturing units operated by the Shakambhari Group," which operates factories in districts including Bankura, Purulia, and Bardhaman.

The investigation also revealed a layered hawala network, with proceeds routed to I-PAC.

Searches conducted on January 8 covered six locations in West Bengal and four in Delhi.

ALSO READ | ‘Will Blast Him’: West Bengal Governor Receives Threat Email Day After ED Raids At I-PAC Office

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