ED alleges Mamata obstructed I‑PAC Raids, WB Govt

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court alleging obstruction and interference by the West Bengal government , including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee , during its raids at I-PAC’s office and the residence of its director Pratik Jain , in connection with a multi-crore coal pilferage and money-laundering case .

The ED claims that the Chief Minister, accompanied by senior party leaders and state police, allegedly removed key documents and electronic devices from the sites, intimidating officials and seriously compromising the agency’s ability to conduct an independent investigation.

The probe traces back to a CBI FIR filed on November 27, 2020, concerning a coal smuggling syndicate led by Anup Majee, accused of illegal excavation and theft of coal from Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) lease areas in West Bengal. The ED subsequently launched a money-laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, treating the proceeds of the illegal coal trade as “scheduled offences.” According to the ED, roughly ₹20 crore allegedly moved from the coal racket was routed to I-PAC through a complex hawala network and associated firms between Kolkata and Goa, purportedly for political consultancy services. Key individuals under scrutiny include Anup Majee, hawala intermediaries, and Pratik Jain, I-PAC’s director.

On January 8, 2026 , the ED conducted coordinated raids at 10 locations , including 6 in West Bengal (I-PAC’s Salt Lake office and Pratik Jain’s Loudon Street residence ) and 4 in Delhi at premises linked to the alleged money-laundering network. The operations began early morning and were carried out under the PMLA , which empowers the ED to investigate money-laundering arising from predicate offences such as coal smuggling.

The ED claims that during the raids, Mamata Banerjee personally entered the sites and removed "key" evidence, including documents, laptops, hard drives, and phones, from ED custody, allegedly obstructing the agency’s statutory mandate. The TMC has denied these allegations, stating the materials taken were party and election-related documents, and accusing the ED of targeting confidential election strategy rather than genuine investigation material.

Mamata Banerjee has publicly defended her actions, asserting she acted to protect sensitive political and electoral data . She denies interfering with the legal probe, claiming she only safeguarded party information. In rallies and statements, she has alleged that coal scam proceeds were linked to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP leaders , though these claims have been rejected by the BJP. Banerjee also stated she holds information and devices that could “shock the country” if forcibly seized, suggesting the raids were politically motivated.

Following the raids, Mamata Banerjee filed complaints alleging criminal conduct by ED officials and Central Armed Police personnel . FIRs were registered under criminal intimidation, theft, criminal trespass , and Section 66 of the IT Act (unauthorized access/use of digital data). West Bengal police also registered suo motu cases against ED personnel in Kolkata.

The ED has moved the Supreme Court alleging interference and obstruction by the West Bengal government and seeks directions for an independent CBI investigation to ensure neutrality. The petition was filed on January 11, 2026, and an urgent listing is expected. Prior to this, the ED had approached the Calcutta High Court on January 9, 2026, seeking a CBI probe against Mamata Banerjee. The hearing was adjourned due to chaos in the courtroom, with the next hearing scheduled for January 14, 2026.

The West Bengal government has also filed a caveat in the Supreme Court , requesting that no order be passed without hearing from the state. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has maintained that the ED action against I-PAC was politically motivated to disrupt its electoral preparations rather than to pursue a bona fide investigation.

The ED alleges obstruction by CM Mamata Banerjee during raids connected to a coal smuggling and money-laundering case, while the West Bengal government and TMC deny wrongdoing, calling the central agency action politically motivated. The Supreme Court may intervene to ensure a neutral probe, while the Calcutta High Court will next hear the matter on January 14, 2026. This case represents a high-stakes legal and political confrontation between a central investigative agency and a state government, with implications for both law enforcement authority and electoral politics in West Bengal.