Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Mamata Banerjee's I-PAC Raid Sparks Political Tensions
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, visited the office of I-PAC during an ongoing raid by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The ED officials reportedly halted their data transfer process due to her presence, and Mamata allegedly took away some documents.
The BJP accused her of committing a serious offence by interfering in the investigation.
I-PAC assured full cooperation with the ED probe and claimed professional integrity.
Meanwhile, TMC MPs protested outside the Union Home Minister's office in Delhi, alleging misuse of central agencies, and were detained by the police.
The controversy has intensified ahead of the Bengal Assembly elections.
Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, sent a legal notice to Mamata Banerjee demanding proof of the allegations she made against him and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the coal scam.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a review of the backgrounds of contractual personnel involved in data entry work for voter rolls after complaints that I-PAC employees were deployed as data entry operators.
The ED alleges that funds from a coal scam were used to support I-PAC operations in Goa.
The TMC launched a campaign song featuring Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, incorporating the incident into their election campaign.
The ED moved the Supreme Court alleging interference by Mamata Banerjee during the raid, and there was controversy over the presence of senior officials with Mamata Banerjee during the raid.
Mamata Banerjee also wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has led to 77 deaths, 4 suicide attempts, and 17 hospitalizations.
Mamata Banerjee visited the I-PAC office during an ED raid, allegedly causing the halt of a data transfer process and taking documents.
Suvendu Adhikari sent a legal notice to Mamata Banerjee demanding proof of coal scam allegations within 72 hours.
TMC MPs protested outside the Union Home Minister's office in Delhi, alleging misuse of central agencies, and were detained by the police.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered a review of the backgrounds of contractual personnel involved in data entry work for voter rolls after complaints about I-PAC employees.
The ED alleges that Rs 2,742 crore from a coal scam were used to support I-PAC operations in Goa, escalating political tensions ahead of the Bengal Assembly elections.
The TMC launched a campaign song titled 'Jotoi koro hamla, abar jitbe Bangla' featuring Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, incorporating the I-PAC raid incident.
The ED moved the Supreme Court alleging interference and obstruction by the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government during search operations at I-PAC's office and Pratik Jain's residence.
The presence of West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Principal Secretary Manoj Pant with Mamata Banerjee during the ED raid sparked controversy, with critics calling it 'gross misconduct'.
Mamata Banerjee wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has led to 77 deaths, 4 suicide attempts, and 17 hospitalizations.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee (Chief Minister of Bengal), Suvendu Adhikari (West Bengal Leader of Opposition), BJP, Enforcement Directorate (ED), I-PAC, TMC MPs, Election Commission of India (ECI), Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, Principal Secretary Manoj Pant
- What
- Mamata Banerjee's interference in an ongoing ED raid at I-PAC office, Suvendu Adhikari's legal notice to Mamata Banerjee, TMC's protest against ED's actions, ECI's review of data entry operators, allegations of coal scam involving I-PAC, TMC's campaign song launch, ED's move to Supreme Court, controversy over officials' presence during raid, Mamata Banerjee's letter to CEC
- When
- Thursday (specific date not mentioned), Protest on Friday, Legal notice sent on Friday evening, Campaign song launched on Saturday, ED moved Supreme Court on Saturday
- Where
- Salt Lake office of I-PAC in Sector V, Kolkata, Union Home Minister Amit Shah's office in Delhi, Calcutta High Court, Supreme Court, Nadia, Matua Thakurbari in Thakurnagar
- Why
- Allegations of corruption and interference in an ongoing investigation, TMC's protest against misuse of central agencies, ECI's review due to complaints about I-PAC employees, political fallout from coal scam allegations, TMC's campaign strategy, ED's allegations of obstruction, controversy over officials' involvement in political matters, Mamata Banerjee's concerns over SIR
- Person Involved
- Mamata Banerjee, Suvendu Adhikari, Amit Shah, Pratik Jain, I-PAC, TMC MPs, Election Commission of India (ECI), Enforcement Directorate (ED)
- Location
- Salt Lake office of I-PAC in Sector V, Kolkata, Union Home Minister Amit Shah's office in Delhi, Calcutta High Court
- Date of Incident
- Thursday (specific date not mentioned), Protest on Friday, Legal notice sent on Friday evening
- Duration of Visit
- Over four hours (from around noon to 4:22 PM)
- Documents Involved
- Data from desktop computers, laptop, and mobile phone
- ED's Response
- Halted data transfer, submitted incident reports to headquarters, sought transfer of probe to CBI
- BJP's Allegation
- Mamata Banerjee committed a serious offence by interfering in an ongoing corruption investigation
- I-PAC's Statement
- Assured full cooperation with the ED probe, claimed professional integrity, stated raids set an unsettling precedent
- TMC's Protest
- Protested outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah's office, MPs detained by Delhi Police, filed plea seeking return of seized articles
- Coal Scam Allegations
- ED alleges Rs 2,742 crore coal scam funds were used to support I-PAC operations in Goa
- Legal Notice
- Suvendu Adhikari sent a legal notice to Mamata Banerjee demanding proof of coal scam charges within 72 hours
- ECI Review
- ECI ordered a review of backgrounds of contractual personnel involved in data entry work for voter rolls
- Campaign Song
- TMC launched campaign song 'Jotoi koro hamla, abar jitbe Bangla' featuring Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee
- Supreme Court Involvement
- ED moved Supreme Court alleging interference by Mamata Banerjee during I-PAC raid
- Controversy over Officials' Presence
- Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary accompanying Mamata Banerjee during ED raid sparked controversy
- Mamata's Letter to CEC
- Mamata Banerjee wrote to CEC alleging 77 deaths, 4 suicide attempts, and 17 hospitalizations due to SIR
Sources
Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee guilty of grave crime: BJP on I-PAC fiasco - Telegraph India
ED ‘overawed’ by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's sudden visit, halts data transfer - Telegraph India
I-PAC Assures Full Cooperation With Probe Agency After Raids
Adhir questions TMC’s Delhi protest over ED raid, alleges ‘electoral opportunism’
‘Why has ED woken up before Bengal polls when I-PAC probe linked to 2022 Goa elections?’: TMC MP Saket Gokhale
ED raids meant to nick TMC strategy data, asserts Didi
‘Will gherao EC office next’: Mamata says BJP using central agencies to ‘snatch’ TMC’s poll strategy
Welcome to the show: Editorial on the political theatre over Enforcement Directorate raid on I-PAC
"Will Erode Respect": Himanta Sarma On Mamata Banerjee's I-PAC Raid Conduct
Is Prashant Kishor still with I-PAC? ED raids amid TMC showdown turn spotlight on Jan Suraaj founder
Daily Briefing: India calls Lutnick’s claims on trade deal with US ‘inaccurate’
'Desperate Attempt To...': Suvendu Adhikari Sends Legal Notice To Mamata Banerjee Over Coal Scam Allegations
‘Reckless, baseless’: Suvendu Adhikari sends legal notice to Mamata, demands proof of coal scam charges against him
From Kolkata to Goa: How Rs 2,742 cr coal scam funds allegedly fueled I-PAC’s election machine
Bengal SIR row: EC checks for I-PAC-linked SIR staff as TMC-ED standoff reaches Calcutta HC
ED raids on I-PAC have only strengthened TMC and Mamata Banerjee
ED raids on I-PAC: Bengal govt files caveat in SC
Bengal cannot be turned into Bangladesh: VHP, BJP attack CM Banerjee
ED raids on I-PAC: Bengal govt files caveat in SC
ED vs Didi: Will Mamata's Defiance Cost TMC in the Upcoming Bengal Elections?
ED raid on IPAC: Bengal govt files caveat in Supreme Court to ensure no order be passed without hearing
ED raid at I-PAC office: Fresh row in Bengal over ‘presence’ of top officials, including chief secy, with Mamata Banerjee
Why does ED step up action against opposition leaders during elections, asks Sibal
ED’s claims against I-PAC & Delhi liquor policy case have a common link—hawala firm & Goa
Police Initiate Inquiry Into Unidentified ED Officials After I-PAC Raid
ED move Supreme Court against alleged ‘interference and obstruction’ by Bengal govt during I-PAC raids
ED raids on I-PAC: Kolkata police start recording statements of guards, house help at Pratik Jain’s house
Probe Agency ED Complains To Supreme Court In Showdown With Mamata Banerjee
I-PAC controversy turns Bengal battle into a TMC-BJP bipolar politics; parties like Congress struggle for space
'Solely of deletion and exclusion': Mamata writes to CEC on SIR
ED moves SC over ‘interference’ from Mamata govt in I-PAC raids, Bengal files caveat
Police begin probe into alleged theft of documents by ED at I-PAC office, Pratik Jain’s house
Police probe ED raids on I-PAC; CCTV footage & witness, staff statements collected - Telegraph India
Enforcement Directorate, Bengal government move Supreme Court over I-PAC raid - Telegraph India
Pratik Jain: Face of Trinamool’s backroom power, now under ED lens
Row over searches on I-PAC: ED to move SC, Bengal govt files caveat
You won’t reply, but my duty to inform: CM Mamata Banerjee writes to CEC
‘Gross misconduct’: Chief Secy, Principal Secy draw backlash for accompanying Mamata during ED raid
ED moves SC over Mamata 'interference'
Mamata’s protest over ED raid on I-PAC features in TMC’s election campaign song
ED submits report on search at I PAC office to MHA
