Mamata Banerjee Leads Massive Kolkata Protest Against ED Raids on I-PAC

Tensions between the Centre and the West Bengal government intensified on Friday as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spearheaded a large-scale protest march through the streets of Kolkata, denouncing recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches at the offices and residence of political consultancy firm I-PAC.

The rally, which stretched several kilometres from Jadavpur to Hazra crossing, saw thousands of Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters, leaders, and workers joining Banerjee in condemning what she described as a politically motivated attack ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Participants raised slogans accusing the BJP-led central government of misusing investigative agencies to target opposition parties.

The protests followed ED raids conducted on Thursday at multiple locations linked to I-PAC, including its Salt Lake office and the Kolkata home of director Pratik Jain. The operations were part of a money-laundering probe connected to an alleged coal smuggling scam. The ED has claimed that Banerjee personally visited Jain's residence during the search, removing items such as documents, a laptop, a hard drive, and a mobile phone, thereby obstructing officials.

I strongly condemn the shameful and unacceptable treatment meted out to our Members of Parliament. Dragging elected representatives on the streets for exercising their democratic right to protest outside the Home Minister’s office is not law enforcement - it is arrogance in…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 9, 2026

In response, the agency approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged interference, including Banerjee's role, and demanding the return of seized materials for forensic examination. Counter-petitions from TMC and Jain challenged the raids' legality, alleging an attempt to access sensitive party data unrelated to the probe.

Court proceedings on Friday were disrupted by overcrowding and commotion in the courtroom, prompting Justice Suvra Ghosh to adjourn the matter. The case is now expected to resume next week.

আমি ভয় করব না ভয় করব না।
দু বেলা মরার আগে মরব না, ভাই, মরব না॥

The inhumane, undemocratic, authoritarian, and utterly unrepentant BJP is systematically dismantling Bengal’s peace, harmony, and hard-won democratic fabric while strangling our constitutional right to vote.… pic.twitter.com/MykAQyR7z2

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 9, 2026

Meanwhile, the BJP sharply criticised Banerjee's actions, with senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad calling them unprecedented and accusing her of evidence tampering to shield corruption. Party spokespersons suggested her intervention indicated efforts to protect incriminating information involving the TMC.

Banerjee defended her visit, stating she acted in her capacity as party chairperson to safeguard TMC's confidential election strategies, which she claimed had no bearing on the financial investigation. She further alleged that proceeds from the coal scam benefited senior BJP figures.

I-PAC, which has been advising the TMC on poll strategies, issued a statement expressing concern over the raids but affirming full cooperation with officials.

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