Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court’s single-judge bench, led by Justice Subhra Ghosh, is scheduled to hear petitions related to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) offices and its co-founder Pratik Jain’s residence. The hearing, originally disrupted due to overcrowding in the courtroom, will now proceed on Wednesday with controlled entry as per court directives.
Last week, the ED conducted search operations at two locations connected to I-PAC, sparking controversies and multiple legal challenges. The bench was unable to hear the matter earlier because the courtroom became overcrowded, prompting Justice Ghosh to adjourn the hearing and schedule a fresh date.
In response to the chaos observed on January 9, Chief Justice Sujoy Paul issued a notification restricting courtroom access. Only parties and lawyers directly involved in the three petitions and counter-petitions will be permitted entry during the hearings.
The petition before Justice Ghosh’s bench was filed by the ED, which has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misusing her constitutional position by obstructing central agency officials during the January 8 raids. The ED has also sought an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the matter, including the role of senior police officers who accompanied the Chief Minister to the raid sites and allegedly removed certain documents and electronic files.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has filed a counter-petition alleging that the ED raid was politically motivated. According to TMC, I-PAC acts as a voter strategy agency, and the ED’s operation aimed to seize election-related documents to share with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
It remains uncertain whether Justice Ghosh will proceed with the hearing, as a related petition by the ED is pending before the Supreme Court.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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