In a dramatic courtroom climax on January 14, 2026, the Calcutta High Court effectively washed its hands of the explosive “I-PAC Raid” controversy. Justice Suvra Ghosh dismissed a flurry of petitions from both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), declaring that with the central agency now knocking on the doors of the Supreme Court, the state’s legal theater has run its course.
What began as a routine money-laundering probe into a coal scam has mutated into a national crisis involving allegations of “Political Data Theft” and “Constitutional Obstruction.”
The ‘Green File’ Mystery A Heist or a Rescue?
The core of the dispute centers on a “Green File” allegedly carried out of the I-PAC office by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the January 8 raids.
The ED’s Charge Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju delivered a stinging submission, claiming the agency seized nothing because the Chief Minister herself “physically snatched” files, laptops, and digital evidence from their custody.
The TMC’s Defense: Senior Advocate Maneka Guruswamy argued the party was merely seeking the “preservation of confidential political data” and candidate lists, accusing the ED of “extraordinary bullying” to tilt the scales of the upcoming 2026 Assembly Elections.
Why the High Court Dismissed the Plea
The High Court’s decision to “dispose” of the TMC’s petition was based on a simple, almost ironic, realization: If nothing was seized, nothing can be protected. Since the ED officially stated on record that it took no documents from the I-PAC premises (blaming the CM’s intervention), the court ruled that the TMC’s plea for “data protection” no longer had a legal leg to stand on. The “Panchnama” (seizure memo) remains blank, creating a bizarre legal vacuum where both sides claim the other is in possession of the “Missing Evidence.”
The ‘White-Collar’ War Moves to Delhi
The battle now moves to the Supreme Court, where the ED has filed a petition under Article 32, seeking:
A CBI Inquiry The agency wants a neutral probe into the “illegal obstruction” by the West Bengal state machinery.
Immunity Breach The ED argues that a sitting Chief Minister entering a raid site and removing evidence is a direct assault on the federal structure and the rule of law.
The Verdict The Data vs. The Law
For an editor, the subtext is clear: This isn’t about coal smuggling anymore. It is about the “Digital Intelligence” of a political party. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the ED, it could set a precedent where state leaders face criminal charges for “interfering” with federal agencies. If the TMC’s “Right to Privacy” argument holds, it could redefine the limits of a probe agency’s power to access sensitive election strategy.
The Editor’s Verdict The “Merry Dance” of the Calcutta High Court is over. The “Green File” has become the most expensive piece of stationery in Bengal’s history. As the Supreme Court takes over tomorrow, the question is no longer just about who owns the data, but who owns the authority to search for it.
