
Thu Jan 15 07:53:49 UTC 2026: ### Supreme Court Expresses “Disturbance” Over Calcutta High Court Chaos in ED-TMC Face-Off
The Story:
The Supreme Court has voiced serious concerns regarding the disruptions that occurred at the Calcutta High Court during a hearing involving the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee. The ED alleges interference by Banerjee and West Bengal officials in its investigation into the political consultancy firm I-PAC. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta accused Banerjee of “theft” and sought the suspension of top Bengal police officials, while the TMC claims the ED illegally seized confidential election data.
Key Points:
- The Supreme Court is “very much disturbed” by the chaos in the Calcutta High Court during a hearing related to the ED’s investigation.
- The ED accuses Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal officials of interfering with its investigation into I-PAC.
- Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, accused Banerjee of “theft” and demanded the suspension of West Bengal’s Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar and other top police officers.
- The ED claims a mob of lawyers disrupted proceedings at the Calcutta High Court on January 9, 2026.
- The TMC alleges the ED seized confidential election data linked to the party.
- Kapil Sibal, representing Banerjee, questioned the timing of the ED’s actions ahead of Assembly polls.
- Abhishek Singhvi, representing the Bengal government and DGP, acknowledged issues on January 9 but cautioned against using it as an excuse.
Key Takeaways:
- The Supreme Court’s intervention highlights the gravity of the situation and its potential impact on the ED’s investigation and the political climate in West Bengal.
- The clash between the ED and the TMC raises concerns about the independence of investigative agencies and potential political motivations.
- The allegations of interference and disruption underscore the heightened tensions surrounding ongoing investigations in politically sensitive cases.
- The timing of the investigation ahead of the Assembly polls adds another layer of complexity and raises questions about potential political influence.
- The Supreme Court taking cognizance suggests a need to ensure fair judicial process.