West Bengal Police Files Counter-Affidavit in Supreme Court, Denies ED Allegations
The West Bengal Police has strongly refuted allegations made by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that its officials intimidated and threatened ED personnel during searches conducted at the office of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) Consulting Pvt Ltd and the residence of its founder Pratik Jain in Kolkata on January 8, 2026. In detailed affidavits submitted before the Supreme Court on Friday, senior police officers have presented a completely different version of events, accusing the ED of high-handed behavior and obstruction.
Police Officials Challenge ED's Narrative in Supreme Court
In their affidavits filed before the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing the ED's petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter, the state police officers including former Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Priyabrat Roy have categorically denied the central agency's claims. The police officials have asserted that contrary to the ED's allegations, it was the central agency's personnel who "behaved in a high-handed manner and obstructed West Bengal Police" during the search operations.
Contrasting Accounts of Chief Minister's Presence
The ED's petition had specifically alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "barged into the premises under the search" and that her associates "not only started intimidating and threatening the officers but also snatched the files and electronic evidence containing incriminating material from them." The central agency claimed that the material taken was evidence collected under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act during their official duty.
However, in his affidavit, the former DGP presented a markedly different account. He stated that the Chief Minister arrived at the I-PAC office around 12:45 PM and "requested the officials of the ED to allow access to certain data and materials which, according to her, pertained to her political party and were confidential in nature." The affidavit further noted that "the officials of ED present at the site did not raise any objection to such a request" and that Mamata Banerjee subsequently left the premises.
Police Question ED's Conduct and Credibility
The former police chief emphasized that search proceedings continued peacefully even after the Chief Minister's departure, with the panchnama prepared by the ED itself recording that searches were conducted in an orderly manner. He termed the ED's claims as "exaggerated" and described their petition as "a misguided attempt to malign the image of a professional police force without any factual foundation."
In a separate affidavit addressing the ED's characterization of the situation as a "shocking state-of-affairs in West Bengal," the state government denied that the petition disclosed any such alarming circumstances. The affidavit expressed regret that "a state authority like the ED has chosen to make pompous and unfounded statements without a shred of evidence through perverse generalizations with the sole motive of prejudicing" the proceedings.
Identification and Authorization Issues Raised
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma and DCP Priyabrat Roy raised significant concerns about procedural lapses by the ED team. They stated that when police personnel reached the search location, those conducting the searches failed to show any identity or authorization documents. The officers noted that "it is a matter of record that the ED only identified itself to Kolkata Police by way of a belated email, after having already unlawfully physically obstructed, shoved and attempted to intimidate" the police personnel.
Supreme Court's Previous Directions in the Case
On January 15, 2026, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices P.K. Mishra and Vipul M. Pancholi had issued notices to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the police officials in response to the ED's plea. The apex court also stayed the First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the West Bengal Police against ED officers and directed that all CCTV footage and other devices containing recordings of the ED search operation be preserved for evidence.
The conflicting narratives presented by the two law enforcement agencies have created a significant legal standoff, with the Supreme Court now tasked with examining the veracity of competing claims. The case highlights ongoing tensions between central investigative agencies and state police forces in politically sensitive investigations, particularly in states with opposition party governments.
