The Supreme Court of India on Thursday issued notices to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior police officials over allegations of interference during the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raid on the offices of the political consultancy firm I‑PAC (Indian Political Action Committee). In a significant move, the court also stayed the FIRs filed by the West Bengal Police against the ED officials.

A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul M. Pancholi observed that the case raises serious questions about state interference in the functioning of central investigative agencies, which will be examined in detail by the court.

The bench has directed Mamata Banerjee, DGP Rajeev Kumar, the Commissioner of Kolkata Police, and other senior officials to file their responses within two weeks. The court further instructed that all CCTV footage from the I‑PAC office and its vicinity be preserved to prevent any tampering with the evidence.

The ED submitted before the Supreme Court that during the raid on January 8 at I‑PAC’s Kolkata office and the residence of its co-founder, Prateek Jain, the presence of state police and the Chief Minister had obstructed its investigation. The agency claimed that certain documents and electronic devices, potentially containing information on money laundering, were removed.

In its petition, the ED has also sought a CBI inquiry to determine whether state officials obstructed its impartial functioning.

The court stressed that this is not merely a routine dispute but a matter touching upon the independence of central investigative agencies and core constitutional values such as the rule of law. Ignoring such incidents, the court warned, could set a precedent affecting law and order in other states.

The BJP described the Supreme Court’s intervention as a strong signal against Mamata Banerjee and questioned the governance practices of her administration. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), meanwhile, stated that it would present its evidence in court and warned that unnecessary retaliatory action could follow if the ED’s claims were proven baseless.

The case will continue in the Supreme Court, with the next hearing scheduled for February 3, 2026. Until then, the stay on FIRs remains in effect, and all CCTV footage will be preserved. Both parties will present arguments on whether the state government interfered with the investigation or if the ED’s actions were politically motivated.