A dramatic scene unfolded in West Bengal on Thursday, raising new questions about constitutional norms in Indian democracy. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the scene while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) team was conducting a raid in Kolkata as part of an investigation into a ‘coal scam.’
High-Stakes Confrontation
The ED alleges that Mamata Banerjee removed a ‘green file’ and some electronic devices (a hard disk) from the raid site. This incident has sent shockwaves from Kolkata to Delhi. The focus of the controversy is now on the green file, which Chief Minister Banerjee reportedly secured.
When Mamata Banerjee emerged from the home of Pratik Jain (Director of I-PAC) clutching the file, questions arose. Does the file contain a blueprint for victory in the 2026 assembly elections? Or does it hold details of the alleged scam that the ED team was investigating?
Mamata Banerjee claims the BJP is attempting to ‘steal’ her party’s election strategy and potential candidate list through the ED. The BJP counters that the Chief Minister committed a crime by obstructing the investigation and seizing evidence, warranting her arrest.
A Dramatic Scene at Pratik Jain’s Residence
At approximately 11 a.m., the ED raided the offices of I-PAC in Salt Lake and the residence of Pratik Jain. As news spread, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s convoy arrived at Jain’s home. She entered, breaching security, and soon emerged with a green folder and a laptop (hard disk).
An angry Mamata Banerjee told the media, “It is very unfortunate that our party’s IT cell is being targeted. The BJP cannot fight democratically, so the ED has come to loot our strategy and data at the behest of the Home Minister.” She then proceeded to another I-PAC office, where officials accompanying her also removed several files during the ED raid.
A Shift in Response
Political analysts note that in 2022, when a raid on the home of Education Minister Partha Chatterjee uncovered crores of rupees, Mamata Banerjee did not intervene. Similarly, she did not intervene when ED officials were attacked at the home of Shahjahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali in January 2024. The question is, what made the I-PAC and Pratik Jain case different, prompting the Chief Minister to arrive on the scene?
The ED alleges that proceeds from coal smuggling were channeled to I-PAC through hawala networks. The agency claims funds from this ‘black money’ were used to finance the TMC’s campaign during the 2022 Goa assembly elections. ED sources state they have evidence linking associates of Anup Majhi to payments made to I-PAC, and were attempting to trace the ‘money trail’ to those in power.
Legal Battles and Political Fallout
The matter has now reached the Calcutta High Court. The ED informed the court that the Chief Minister interfered with official proceedings and removed evidence. A hearing is scheduled for Friday. I-PAC has also filed a petition seeking to halt the raid, citing privacy concerns. The TMC has filed a separate petition requesting the return of its confidential documents.
Mamata Banerjee has labeled the entire operation ‘political espionage,’ directly targeting Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of attempting to steal data and voter strategies. She has framed the conflict as a battle between ‘Bengal and Delhi,’ asserting that the BJP seeks to destroy Bengal’s language, culture, and the TMC’s electoral formula. The BJP contends that Banerjee is playing the ‘victim card’ to conceal files related to corruption.
Amit Shah recently targeted the Mamata government during a visit to Bengal, raising issues of infiltration, corruption, and women’s safety. Now, Mamata Banerjee has turned the ‘raid’ into an electoral issue, and is scheduled to lead protests on Friday.
What Happens Next?
The incident raises three key questions. Could Mamata Banerjee face arrest for forcibly taking possession of the ‘green file’? Is the High Court likely to reprimand the Mamata government for its intervention? And what exactly was contained within the file that prompted the Chief Minister to disregard protocol and security?
The BJP alleges that Mamata Banerjee committed ‘contempt of court’ by obstructing the investigation. BJP leaders Shubhendu Adhikari and Rahul Sinha stated that the Chief Minister did not take the file, but stole it, as it was part of an official seizure. Legal experts believe that obstructing an investigation and removing evidence under the PMLA provisions could be a non-bailable offense.
The incident has also revealed fissures within the ‘INDIA’ opposition alliance. While Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh expressed support for Mamata Banerjee, the Congress and Left parties in Bengal did not offer their backing. Bengal Congress leaders believe Mamata Banerjee is staging a political drama to conceal corruption. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury described it as Mamata’s ‘selective outrage.’
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘coal scam’ at the center of this controversy?
The case stems from a five-year-old case involving ‘Anup Majhi alias Lala,’ who allegedly became a dominant figure in the Bengal coal syndicate. The ED claims that illegal earnings from coal smuggling were channeled through hawala networks to I-PAC.
What is I-PAC’s connection to the alleged scam?
The ED alleges that I-PAC received payments from associates of Anup Majhi, and that funds from the alleged coal scam were used to finance the TMC’s campaign during the 2022 Goa assembly elections.
What is Mamata Banerjee’s response to the allegations?
Mamata Banerjee claims the BJP is using the ED to steal her party’s election strategy and candidate list, framing the situation as ‘political espionage.’
What role will the Calcutta High Court play in resolving this dispute?
