In a significant escalation of the ongoing political and legal tussle in West Bengal, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee has taken a direct legal offensive against the Enforcement Directorate (ED). On Friday, 10 January 2026, she formally lodged two separate police complaints against the central agency, prompting the police to initiate a probe against unknown ED officials.
The Complaints and the Triggering Event
The action stems directly from the searches conducted by the Enforcement Directorate a day prior. The federal agency had carried out raids at two key locations: the Kolkata office of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), a prominent political consultancy, and the residence of Prateek Jain, who is associated with the organization. I-PAC has historically worked closely with the TMC, making the raids a politically charged event.
Responding to these actions, Mamata Banerjee personally approached the police to register the complaints. The complaints allege procedural irregularities and overreach by the ED officials during the conduct of the searches. By lodging these First Information Reports (FIRs), the TMC chief has effectively turned the tables, seeking a police investigation into the conduct of the investigating agency itself.
Police Probe Against "Unknown" Officials
Following the registration of the complaints, the West Bengal Police has officially started a probe against unknown ED officials. This legal move is notable as it creates a parallel investigation into the actions of the central agency's personnel. The police are now tasked with examining the allegations made in the complaints, which could include claims of unauthorized procedures or excesses during the raid operations.
This development marks a fierce pushback from the ruling party in the state against what it perceives as the weaponization of central agencies. The decision to target "unknown" officials is a common legal approach when the specific identities of the alleged offenders are not immediately available to the complainant.
Political Repercussions and Legal Standoff
The filing of police complaints by a sitting chief minister against a central investigative agency is a rare and dramatic step, setting the stage for a major legal and political confrontation. It intensifies the existing friction between the TMC government in West Bengal and the central government led by the BJP.
Analysts suggest this move is designed to galvanize the party's political base by portraying the TMC as a victim of vindictive action, while also attempting to legally scrutinize the ED's operation. The situation places the state police and the central agency on a potential collision course, with the outcomes of the respective investigations being keenly awaited.
The raids on I-PAC and Prateek Jain's home were reportedly linked to a money laundering investigation. However, the TMC's counter-complaints have shifted the immediate narrative to one of procedural conflict and jurisdictional resistance. The coming days are likely to see heated legal arguments and further political statements as both sides dig in their heels.
