ED moves Supreme Court over alleged obstruction of investigation
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court alleging obstruction of its investigation into the I-PAC coal scam case by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and state authorities.
ED conducted search operations on January 8, 2026, at premises linked to Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), a consultancy firm tied to Trinamool Congress election strategies, probing alleged hawala routing of Rs 10 crore in crime proceeds from a coal smuggling scam. State police and officials, including the CM’s presence, allegedly interfered by removing documents and electronic devices, termed a “showdown” by ED, compromising the probe’s integrity.
ED first approached Calcutta High Court seeking an FIR against Banerjee, but hearings were deferred to January 14, prompting an Article 32 petition directly to Supreme Court for a CBI or independent probe into the obstruction. West Bengal government filed a caveat in Supreme Court to avoid ex-parte orders.
Key Allegations
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Physical obstruction prevented lawful searches and seizures.
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State machinery violated federal investigation principles.
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Counter-claims from I-PAC and police allege ED lacked proper warrants and intimation.
