Supreme Court Hearing on ED’s Writ Petition against West Bengal Government
The Supreme Court convened on 24 March 2026 to consider a writ petition filed by the ED. The petition alleges that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and state police officers obstructed the agency’s search of the office of I‑PAC, the party’s political consultant.
Key Developments (as of the hearing)
- Bench comprising Justice P.K. Mishra and Justice N.V. Anjaria heard arguments from both sides.
- The State challenged the maintainability of the petition, invoking concerns over federalism.
- ED reiterated that obstruction of a lawful search hampers the enforcement of the PMLA and undermines the rule of law.
- The Court reserved its order, indicating that further arguments and evidence may be required before a final decision.
Important Facts
- The writ petition was filed by ED under its statutory powers to seek a direction for the search of premises suspected of being used for money‑laundering.
- I‑PAC’s office, located in Kolkata, is alleged to have been used for financial transactions linked to the Trinamool Congress.
- West Bengal’s legal team argued that allowing a central agency to sue a state government could set a precedent that erodes the federal structure and the principle of cooperative federalism.
- The hearing is part of a broader series of investigations into political financing across several states.