Calcutta High Court Disposes TMC Plea as ED Denies Seizing Data in I-PAC Raids

The Calcutta High Court on January 14 disposed of the Trinamool Congress's petition seeking protection of political data allegedly seized during Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and its director Pratik Jain's residence. The ED denied seizing any documents or electronic devices, stating that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took away materials during the raids. The court closed the TMC's plea, noting panchnamas showed no seizure by the ED. The ED has moved the Supreme Court alleging obstruction by Mamata Banerjee and seeking a CBI probe, with the apex court scheduled to hear the matter. Both parties have filed petitions, and the case remains politically sensitive amid upcoming West Bengal elections.