The ED has alleged that the interference violated its authority and obstructed its work during the investigation. The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justice P. K. Mishra and Justice N. V. Anjaria. The Supreme Court will now deliver its judgment in the case.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of Mamata Banerjee, argued that the Supreme Court did not need to intervene in the matter because the government in West Bengal had changed. He submitted that the state government now had the authority to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Sibal Says Supreme Court Intervention Is Unnecessary
Sibal told the bench that the state government could refer the matter to the CBI on its own, questioning why an order from the Supreme Court was necessary for the transfer. He argued that the change in government had altered the circumstances surrounding the case.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court observed that although the government in West Bengal had changed, the ED remained the same. The court remarked that the ED was not running the government.
ED Accuses Mamata Banerjee of Misusing Government Machinery
On April 23, the ED approached the Supreme Court, alleging a complete breakdown of law and order in West Bengal. The agency claimed that Mamata Banerjee had used government machinery to obstruct an ongoing money laundering investigation at the I-PAC office in Kolkata.
According to the ED, the then Chief Minister personally arrived at the location accompanied by a large contingent of police personnel. The agency alleged that she stopped ED officers from carrying out searches and seizing evidence during the operation.
The ED has sought directions from the Supreme Court to transfer the investigation to the CBI. Its request is linked to the alleged incidents of obstruction and FIRs that it claims were registered with retaliatory intent.
The agency has argued that an independent investigative body is required to examine the conduct of Mamata Banerjee and senior West Bengal police officials in connection with the alleged interference.
Supreme Court Raises Concern Over Democracy
During arguments on April 22, the Supreme Court had observed that democracy could be endangered if a Chief Minister interfered in an investigation. The remark came amid the ED’s allegations that the search operation at the I-PAC office had been obstructed.
The case centres on allegations of interference with a money laundering investigation, the conduct of senior state officials and the ED’s demand for an independent probe into the incident.
In April, the ED had also taken action in the coal scam case by arresting I-PAC director Vinesh Chandel under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), according to the report published by India TV on April 13, 2026.
With hearings now complete and the verdict reserved, the Supreme Court’s decision will determine the outcome of the ED’s plea seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged obstruction of its operations in West Bengal.
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