New Delhi: Surrounded the ongoing mismatch between the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the West Bengal government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court. This specimen is related to the ED's raids on the residence and office of Prateek Jain, director of the political consultancy firm 'Indian Political Whoopee Committee' (I-PAC).
What has the West Bengal government demanded?
The petitioner in this specimen is Kunal Mimani. Through the caveat, the West Bengal government has requested the noon magistrate to hear its side surpassing passing any order in this matter. The state government's move comes surrounded speculation that the ED might tideway the Supreme Magistrate in connection with the developments in the I-PAC case.
Officials told the media that the inside organ is currently considering all its legal options, including unescapable the Supreme Court. The ED is reviewing every possible thoroughfare surpassing finalizing its legal strategy. The Enforcement Directorate had filed a petition in the Calcutta High Magistrate seeking registration of an FIR versus West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Why has the TMC approached the High Court?
The TMC moreover filed a petition in the High Magistrate questioning the legality of the raids and ultimatum it was a conspiracy to interfere in the 2026 turnout elections. The ED so-called that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee obstructed the agency’s officials during the raids on the I-PAC premises in Kolkata.
However, this petition could not be heard immediately. First, a single-judge seat and then a semester seat headed by the vicarial Chief Justice refused to hear the matter surpassing January 14. Since then, it has been predictable that the Enforcement Directorate might tideway the Supreme Court. Anticipating this possibility, the West Bengal government has filed a caveat petition in the Supreme Magistrate as a precautionary measure, to prevent any ex-parte order from stuff passed without hearing the state's side.
The specimen dates when to January 8, 2026, when the ED raided several locations in Kolkata, including Prateek Jain's residence on Loudon Street and the I-PAC office in Salt Lake Sector-V. The ED's whoopee is reportedly linked to an investigation into money laundering and a coal scam. During the raid, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself arrived at Prateek Jain's residence and took yonder some documents and electronic devices. She accused the ED of attempting to seize confidential TMC political documents, candidate lists, and materials related to the strategy for the 2026 turnout elections.
