SC Halts FIR, Seeks Bengal Reply in ED Case

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Delhi
• Jan 15, 2026
• 581

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice to the West Bengal government on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the I-PAC raid case, directing the state to file its response within two weeks. Observing that the allegations raised by the central agency were of a serious nature, the court cautioned against any interference in the ED’s investigative process.

A Bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi underscored that central agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory duties without obstruction. “Let the agency do its job,” the Bench remarked, while staying the FIR registered against ED officials until the next date of hearing, scheduled for February 3.

The court noted that the case raises grave constitutional and legal concerns. “There are serious questions involved which, if left unanswered, could lead to chaos. If a central agency is honestly investigating a serious offence, can it be stalled by politicising the matter?” the Bench observed.

The matter stems from an Enforcement Directorate raid conducted on January 8 at the residence and office premises of Prateek Jain, Trinamool Congress (TMC) IT cell chief and director of a political consulting firm, I-PAC. The ED has alleged that during the course of the raid, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the location along with senior state police officials and removed certain evidentiary materials.

The central agency has contended that such actions amounted to unlawful interference in an ongoing investigation, prompting it to approach the apex court seeking protection for its officers and judicial scrutiny of the state’s conduct.

The Supreme Court’s intervention is being closely watched, as it touches upon the delicate balance between federal authority and state power, as well as the operational autonomy of central investigative agencies.