Kolkata | January 14, 2026:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday sought an adjournment of proceedings before the Calcutta High Court in connection with recent raids linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC, stating that it has already moved the Supreme Court on the same issue. The plea triggered sharp objections from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s legal team.

The matter relates to searches conducted last week at the residence and office of Pratik Jain, director of the political consultancy firm. Appearing before Justice Suvra Ghosh, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the ED, argued that since the agency has approached the Supreme Court, the High Court should refrain from hearing the case at this stage.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for the Trinamool Congress, clarified that the party’s petition is limited in scope and seeks only protection of its data seized during the raids. She stressed that the party is not obstructing the investigation but wants safeguards to prevent misuse of confidential political information.

However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s counsel, Kalyan Banerjee, strongly opposed the ED’s request for adjournment. He pointed out that the Chief Minister has been made a party in the ED’s petition before the High Court and argued that seeking repeated delays undermines the legal process. The court heard submissions from all sides and is expected to decide on the adjournment plea after considering the developments before the Supreme Court.

I-PAC Raid Case: ED Seeks Pause as TMC Pushes for Data Safeguards in Calcutta High Court

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday requested the Calcutta High Court to adjourn hearings related to the recent I-PAC raids, stating that it has already approached the Supreme Court on the same matter. The request was made during proceedings before Justice Suvra Ghosh and immediately drew objections from the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The case stems from last week’s searches at the residence and office of Pratik Jain, director of the political consultancy firm I-PAC. Representing the ED, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju argued that when an issue is under consideration by the Supreme Court, the High Court should avoid parallel hearings.

Appearing for the TMC, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy told the court that the party is only seeking protection of its data seized during the raids. She maintained that the TMC is not challenging the investigation itself but wants assurance that sensitive political information will not be misused.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s lawyer, Kalyan Banerjee, strongly opposed the ED’s plea for adjournment. He highlighted that the Chief Minister has been made a party in the ED’s petition and said delaying the matter would be unfair. The court heard all arguments and is expected to take a view on the ED’s request.