ED Moves Supreme Court Over Alleged Obstruction in I-PAC Coal Scam Probe

The Enforcement Directorate has moved the Supreme Court of India, filing an Article 32 petition alleging that its investigation into the I-PAC-linked coal scam was obstructed by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In its plea, the central financial probe agency has sought a court-monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation, claiming that its constitutional right to conduct a fair, independent and unhindered investigation was curtailed by state authorities. The ED argued that without judicial intervention, central agencies would be unable to function independently in certain states.

The petition details a sequence of events during search operations carried out at premises linked to political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), which has been associated with election strategy for the Trinamool Congress. The ED described the episode as a “showdown,” alleging that its officials were prevented from lawfully conducting searches and seizing materials relevant to an ongoing coal smuggling and money laundering probe.

According to the agency, senior state officials and police personnel allegedly intervened during the searches, resulting in physical documents and electronic devices being forcibly removed from the premises. The ED claimed this amounted to obstruction of justice and compromised the integrity of the investigation.

The legal escalation comes amid heightened political tension between the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government and central investigative agencies. The ED has maintained that its actions were conducted strictly in accordance with law and procedure under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Bengal Government Files Caveat

Anticipating the ED’s move, the West Bengal government filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, seeking to ensure that no order is passed without hearing the state’s side. The caveat reflects the state’s intent to contest the ED’s allegations at every legal stage.

The dispute traces back to ED raids conducted in Kolkata at locations linked to I-PAC as part of a multi-crore coal scam investigation. The agency has alleged that proceeds of crime amounting to nearly ₹10 crore were routed to I-PAC through hawala channels, and that the consultancy firm received payments from the Trinamool Congress for services rendered during the 2022 Goa Assembly elections.

Calcutta High Court Defers Hearing

Before approaching the apex court, the ED had moved the Calcutta High Court, seeking registration of an FIR against Mamata Banerjee for allegedly obstructing its search operations. However, hearings were deferred after both a single-judge bench and a division bench postponed proceedings until after January 14.

In response, the Trinamool Congress and I-PAC filed counter-petitions in the High Court, arguing that the seized documents related solely to election strategy and campaign planning, which they claimed fall outside the scope of the PMLA. They accused the ED of attempting to unlawfully access confidential political data under the guise of an investigation.

Additional complaints were also filed by the family of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain, alleging theft of documents during the searches. The ED has rejected these claims, reiterating that all actions were lawful.

Kolkata Police Probe Adds New Dimension

Adding to the legal complexity, Kolkata Police have initiated a probe against ED officials following FIRs filed over alleged theft of documents. Police said CCTV footage, DVR recordings and witness statements are being examined, and notices will be issued once identification is complete.

With the matter now before the Supreme Court, the confrontation between the central agency and the West Bengal government has entered a decisive phase, with wider implications for the functioning of investigative agencies across states.