The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court of India, seeking the registration of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) First Information Report (FIR) against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other state officials. The ED alleges that the Chief Minister obstructed its search operations at the Kolkata offices of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its co-founder, Pratik Jain, on January 8, 2026. The central agency claims that during these raids, which are part of a money laundering investigation connected to an alleged multi-crore coal pilferage scam, crucial physical and electronic evidence was removed and its officers were prevented from discharging their duties. The ED contends that the state machinery's intervention amounted to a 'gross obstruction of justice' and compromised the integrity of its investigation. Prior to moving the Supreme Court, the ED had approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI probe into the incident. However, the High Court was forced to adjourn the hearing due to commotion and overcrowding in the courtroom on January 9, 2026. The High Court has listed the matter for hearing on January 14, 2026. In anticipation of the ED's legal action, the West Bengal government has also filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, requesting that no ex-parte orders be passed without hearing its side of the matter. Mamata Banerjee has vehemently denied the ED's allegations, accusing the central agency of overreach and acting as a political tool.