ED Moves Supreme Court After Calcutta High Court Refuses Urgent Relief in I-PAC Case

Calcutta: The ED moves Supreme Court after encountering a legal setback at the Calcutta High Court, which declined to grant urgent relief in connection with an alleged obstruction during a search operation involving the office and residence linked to I-PAC. The central probe agency is now preparing to escalate the matter, with sources indicating that a petition could be filed before the apex court as early as today.

The controversy centres around the Enforcement Directorate’s claim that its officials were obstructed during a search operation, allegedly involving West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, prompting the agency to seek immediate judicial intervention.

ED Moves Supreme Court After High Court Setback

According to legal sources, the Enforcement Directorate had approached the Calcutta High Court seeking urgent relief following the incident but did not receive the immediate protection or directions it was seeking. The lack of urgent relief has prompted the agency to consider moving the matter to the Supreme Court of India.

Sources familiar with the developments said the ED believes the issue involves serious questions related to the functioning of central investigating agencies and requires urgent consideration at the highest judicial level.

State Government Files Caveat in Supreme Court

Meanwhile, lawyers representing the West Bengal government confirmed that the state has already filed an online caveat in the Supreme Court. A caveat ensures that no order is passed by the court without first hearing the state’s side, signalling that the government is prepared to contest any plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate.

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The move indicates that the legal battle is expected to intensify, with both sides bracing for arguments before the apex court.

Case Likely to Be Filed Today

Sources further indicated that the Enforcement Directorate may formally file its petition before the Supreme Court later today. If admitted, the case could come up for urgent hearing, given the nature of the allegations and the involvement of constitutional authorities.

The matter is being closely watched, as it could have broader implications for Centre–state relations and the operational independence of central investigative agencies. Further clarity is expected once the Supreme Court takes up the case.