The Enforcement Directorate moved the Supreme Court of India on Thursday, 15th January, asking for the suspension of West Bengal Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar and other senior officers. The request was made just before the court began hearing a case linked to recent searches at the offices of political consulting firm Indian Political Action Committee, also known as I-PAC.
During the ED raids at I-PAC office and the residence of its director Pratik Jain, CM Mamata Banerjee, along with state police officials, entered both places and took away documents and electronic devices. The CM claimed that ED was trying to get the election strategies of TMC from I-PAC to benefit the BJP.
🚨 BIG BREAKING
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) January 15, 2026
ED moves a fresh plea in the Supreme Court seeking to implead DoPT, MHA & the West Bengal govt for a CBI probe into alleged interference during IPAC raids.
ED also seeks SUSPENSION of WB DGP Rajiv Kumar, Kolkata CP Manoj Verma & DCP Priyabatra Roy. pic.twitter.com/0B4eV7ddcf
The case is being heard by a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi. Along with seeking Rajiv Kumar’s suspension, the agency has also sought the suspension of Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma and South Kolkata Dy Commissioner Priyabatra Roy. The agency told the court that the officers helped CM Mamata Banerjee in removing crucial evidence during the raids.
ED has alleged repeated obstruction and non-cooperation by the state administration. It further requested directions to the Department of Personnel and Training and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to begin departmental action against the officers involved.
As the hearing got underway, the West Bengal government filed a caveat in the Supreme Court. Through this, the state requested that no order be passed without hearing its side. The caveat is linked to the ED’s action against I-PAC and its chief, Pratik Jain, and is meant to ensure the state gets a chance to present its view before any decision is taken.
The ED also informed the court that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee entered the search locations during the operation. The agency said that documents and electronic devices were taken away from the I-PAC premises, which disrupted the search and put pressure on officers present there. According to the ED, this situation affected its ability to carry out its legal work independently.
The All India Trinamool Congress has rejected the ED’s claims and said there was no obstruction. The party stated that the action against I-PAC, which handles its election strategy, was aimed at accessing sensitive election-related material.
With West Bengal Assembly elections only a few months away, the case has added to the growing tension between the state government and the central probe agency.
