Overview
- Filing an Article 32 petition, the ED alleges Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior officials removed documents and devices during January 8 searches at I-PAC and director Pratik Jain’s residence.
- The ED asks for a CBI-led inquiry, restoration and forensic preservation of digital material it says was taken from lawful custody, and protection for its officers from state police action.
- The West Bengal government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to prevent any ex parte orders as both sides pursue parallel petitions.
- Calcutta High Court hearings on the dueling pleas were adjourned to January 14 after courtroom disorder, with the ED arguing its probe has been obstructed.
- Kolkata Police registered FIRs and are examining CCTV and a seized visitor register from Jain’s complex to identify ED personnel, while TMC and I-PAC deny the allegations and cast the raids as attempts to access campaign data, even incorporating the standoff into a new election song.