The Calcutta High Court will hear the high-voltage case related to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raid on political consultancy firm I-PAC today, January 14, at 2:30 pm, under strict courtroom restrictions. Ahead of the hearing, the court has made it clear that only lawyers directly associated with the case will be permitted inside the courtroom, and no other individuals will be allowed entry. This decision follows chaotic scenes during the previous hearing attempt, when heavy crowding and disruptions forced the judge to leave the courtroom, resulting in the matter being adjourned. Taking note of the disorder, the High Court has now imposed preventive measures to ensure smooth and uninterrupted proceedings. The case stems from an ED raid conducted on January 8 at I-PAC’s Kolkata office and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain, linked to an alleged coal smuggling and money laundering investigation. The ED has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of interfering with the probe by reaching the raid site and obstructing officials. The Trinamool Congress, on the other hand, has termed the raid politically motivated and an abuse of central agencies. With petitions filed by both the ED and the TMC, today’s hearing is expected to be crucial in determining the legal course of the case, amid intense political scrutiny.


