Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Jan 9: The Calcutta High Court on Friday adjourned the hearing on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) plea seeking registration of an FIR against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, citing an unmanageable situation inside the courtroom.

Justice Suvra Ghosh deferred the matter to January 14 after several persons not connected with the case refused to vacate the courtroom despite repeated directions, leading to chaos during the proceedings.

The adjournment came a day after dramatic scenes unfolded in Kolkata, when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited two locations, including the residence of political consultancy firm I-PAC chief Pratik Jain, amid ED raids. Banerjee alleged that ED officials had taken away documents, a mobile phone and a laptop during the searches.

Earlier, the ED had approached the high court seeking a direction for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against the chief minister, accusing her of obstructing its investigation and shielding individuals allegedly involved in coal smuggling and money laundering. The agency also requested an urgent hearing before Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul, but the plea was rejected as the matter was already listed before Justice Ghosh.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has also moved the court against the ED, accusing the agency of acting with political motives. Banerjee alleged that the ED attempted to seize the party’s internal election-related documents, including hard disks, candidate lists and strategy papers, and claimed the raids were orchestrated by the BJP.

The ED denied the allegations, stating that the searches were evidence-based, conducted in accordance with legal procedures, and not linked to any election process or political establishment.

Meanwhile, the family of Pratik Jain has lodged a police complaint accusing ED officials of stealing important documents during the raid, police sources said.

The high court will now take up the matter for further hearing on January 14.