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The Supreme Court on Tuesday put the hearing of the politically sensitive I-PAC case on hold after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought additional time to examine documents submitted by the West Bengal government. The apex court has now scheduled the next hearing for February 10, giving both sides time to prepare their arguments.
The case came up before a bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice N.V. Anjaria. While the matter was initially slated for hearing on Tuesday, the ED informed the court that it needed time to study the state government’s affidavit filed a day earlier and to submit a counter-affidavit.
On Monday, the West Bengal government had strongly opposed the ED’s petition, urging the Supreme Court to dismiss the case outright. In its affidavit, the state questioned the agency’s legal standing to approach the apex court under Article 32 of the Constitution. According to the state, the ED has no fundamental right that would justify invoking the court’s extraordinary jurisdiction.
The state government also raised serious concerns over the manner in which the ED conducted its searches linked to the I-PAC investigation. It alleged that the raids were carried out without following due legal procedure and without issuing any prior notice to I-PAC. The affidavit claimed such actions violated constitutional protections and amounted to an infringement of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21.
The dispute traces back to January 8, when the ED carried out simultaneous raids in Kolkata as part of its investigation into an alleged illegal coal smuggling case. One team searched I-PAC’s office in Salt Lake’s Sector V, while another conducted a raid at the Loudon Street residence of I-PAC chief Prashant Jain.
According to the ED, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally arrived at the raid locations during the operation and removed documents, files, and electronic devices, allegedly obstructing the investigation. On the same day, the ED approached the Calcutta High Court, accusing the state government of unlawful interference.
However, the High Court deferred the matter until July 14, prompting the ED to move the Supreme Court. Around the same time, the Kolkata Police registered three FIRs against ED officials over the raids. In an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court stayed those FIRs and directed all parties to submit affidavits within two weeks.
The apex court also ordered the preservation of CCTV footage from the raid locations and surrounding areas, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations from both sides. The West Bengal government filed its affidavit in compliance with that order.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, requested more time to analyze the state’s submissions and place the agency’s response on record. After the bench sought the state’s view—and receiving its consent—the court decided to adjourn the proceedings.
With legal and political stakes running high, the I-PAC case is expected to draw intense attention when the Supreme Court takes it up again next week.
