Proceedings in the politically sensitive I-PAC case were disrupted at the Calcutta High Court on Friday after Justice Shubhra Ghosh walked out of the courtroom even before the hearing could begin, following chaotic scenes caused by an overcrowded hall. The hearing has now been postponed to January 14.
According to sources, the courtroom was packed beyond capacity, leading to repeated disruptions despite multiple warnings. The situation escalated to such an extent that Justice Ghosh, visibly upset by the commotion, left the courtroom. Subsequently, a written order was issued stating that the matter was being adjourned for the day. As a result, no hearing took place on Friday, and there was no live streaming of the proceedings.
The matter before the court stems from the ongoing political and legal confrontation following Thursday’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the Salt Lake Sector V office of the election strategy firm I-PAC and the Loudon Street residence of its head, Prateek Jain. The ED has approached the High Court alleging obstruction of its investigation during the search operations and has made Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a party to the case.
In response, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has filed a separate case against the central agency. Both matters were scheduled to be heard together on Friday before Justice Ghosh’s bench.
The controversy traces back to Thursday morning, when the ED conducted simultaneous search operations at Jain’s Loudon Street residence and the I-PAC office in Sector V in connection with an alleged illegal coal smuggling case. As the searches were underway, Mamata arrived at both locations — first at the Loudon Street residence and later at the Salt Lake office.
It has been alleged that during the ED operation, the Chief Minister removed several files, documents and laptops from the premises. Mamata has countered the allegations, claiming that the central agency was attempting to seize TMC’s political and electoral strategy documents.
Earlier on Friday, the Kolkata Police had registered a suo motu case related to the ED raids at both locations. This was followed by a separate complaint lodged by the Chief Minister. Meanwhile, the ED moved the Calcutta High Court alleging obstruction of its probe, while the TMC filed its own petition against the ED, further escalating the standoff.
With tensions running high both inside and outside the courtroom, the High Court has now scheduled the next hearing in the matter for January 14. Political observers say the case is likely to remain a flashpoint in the ongoing confrontation between the state government and central agencies in West Bengal.
Also read: Mamata leads Kolkata protest against ED raids at I-PAC
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