Source NDTV
KOLKATA – Dramatic scenes unfolded both inside and outside the courtroom on Friday as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a massive protest rally while a Calcutta High Court judge was forced to abandon a hearing due to “unmanageable chaos.”
The legal proceedings were centered on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) recent raids on the offices of I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee) and the residence of its chief, Pratik Jain.
Courtroom Turmoil
The hearing, presided over by Justice Suvra Ghosh, was derailed before it could effectively begin. A surge of lawyers and spectators packed the courtroom, leading to pushing, shoving, and heated arguments.
Despite multiple warnings from Justice Ghosh for non-essential personnel to vacate the room, the commotion persisted. After a final five-minute ultimatum went unheeded, an angered Justice Ghosh left the bench and adjourned the matter.
“Nothing can be heard inside this packed courtroom,” the judge reportedly remarked before stepping out.
The hearing has been deferred to January 14. The court was set to hear cross-petitions:
The ED’s Plea: Seeking a CBI probe and an FIR against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for alleged “illegal interference” and the removal of “key evidence” during the raids.
TMC/I-PAC’s Plea: Seeking the return of documents and digital data, alleging the ED’s actions were an attempt to “steal” election strategies ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.
Mamata Banerjee’s “Data Loot” Protest
Simultaneously, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to the streets, leading a 7-km protest march from Jadavpur to Hazra Crossing. Addressing a sea of supporters, she framed the ED’s actions as a direct attack on the democratic process.
“They are trying to steal my party’s data, our candidate lists, and our strategy,” Banerjee told the crowd. She defended her visit to the raid site on Thursday, asserting it was an act of “self-defense” to protect sensitive organizational information.
Background of the Conflict
The tension follows an explosive confrontation on Thursday when the Chief Minister personally arrived at the I-PAC office and Pratik Jain’s residence during the ED’s search operations. The ED subsequently accused Banerjee and the West Bengal Police of forcibly taking possession of digital devices and incriminating documents from central officers.
The BJP has hit back, with Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari calling the CM’s interference “unconstitutional” and demanding strict action.
