Kolkata, 09 January (H.S.): Unprecedented chaos erupted in the Calcutta High Court on Friday during the hearing of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) vs. Trinamool Congress case. The situation escalated to such an extent that Justice Shubhra Ghosh had to leave her chair and exit the courtroom. Due to the massive disruption, Justice Ghosh adjourned the hearing until January 14. On that day, both cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will be heard together.
The ED's raid on the Salt Lake office of I-PAC, the election strategy organization associated with the Trinamool Congress, and its head, Pratik Jain, has caused a political storm in the state. Following the raid, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the BJP of using the ED to steal election strategies and candidate lists. The ED, however, claimed the raid was conducted as part of its investigation into a coal smuggling case.
The entire matter reached the Calcutta High Court. The Trinamool Congress filed a petition challenging the ED's actions at the I-PAC office and Pratik Jain's residence. In the petition, the Trinamool claimed that I-PAC is a consulting firm for the party and possessed several crucial documents and information related to the party ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. Allegedly, the BJP attempted to obtain this information by using the ED.
In response, the ED also approached the High Court, alleging obstruction of the investigation and filing a petition demanding a CBI inquiry into the matter. Both petitions were scheduled to be heard together in Justice Shubhra Ghosh's court on Friday.
However, as soon as the hearing began, a massive commotion erupted in the courtroom. People unrelated to the case crowded into the courtroom. Justice Shubhra Ghosh repeatedly instructed them to vacate the courtroom, but her instructions were ignored. Court officials also appealed for order, but amidst the noise and chaos, the situation spiraled out of control.
Ultimately, Justice Shubhra Ghosh had to leave the courtroom, and the hearing was adjourned until January 14. The court has ordered that both cases be postponed until further notice.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey