West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a large street protest in Kolkata on Thursday after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids linked to a money-laundering investigation, setting off a sharp political and legal confrontation between the Trinamool Congress government and central authorities.
The protest, which drew thousands of supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), unfolded amid parallel demonstrations in New Delhi where several TMC members of parliament were detained by police. The developments have turned the ED’s investigative action into a national political flashpoint, with Mamata Banerjee directly confronting the agency’s authority.
Mamata Banerjee takes to the streets
Leading the march through central Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee accused the Enforcement Directorate of acting with political intent and targeting her government ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
“This is political vendetta,” the chief minister said while addressing supporters. “They want to intimidate us, but Bengal will not bow. We will fight this legally.”
Senior TMC leaders accompanying her alleged that the ED’s actions were aimed at destabilising the elected state government. Protesters raised slogans against the central government as police maintained a heavy presence to control the crowd.
State officials said the protest remained largely peaceful, though traffic movement was disrupted across several key routes in the city.
What triggered the ED–Mamata Banerjee standoff
The confrontation began after the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at multiple locations in Kolkata linked to the political consultancy Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). The ED said the raids were part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering connected to coal trade irregularities.
According to officials, the searches were authorised under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and followed the registration of an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR). The agency said it was examining financial transactions, documents, and digital devices to trace the alleged proceeds of crime.
Tensions escalated sharply when Mamata Banerjee arrived at one of the premises while the ED search was still underway.
ED alleges obstruction during raid
Following the incident, the Enforcement Directorate alleged that its officers were obstructed during the search operation. The agency claimed that documents and electronic devices were removed from the premises after the chief minister’s arrival, hampering the investigation.
The Trinamool Congress strongly denied the allegation. Party leaders said Mamata Banerjee visited the site to ensure procedural fairness and to prevent what they described as the unlawful seizure of political material.
The West Bengal government has maintained that no official records were taken illegally and that the chief minister acted within her constitutional authority.
ED approaches Calcutta High Court
The Enforcement Directorate subsequently moved the Calcutta High Court, seeking judicial directions over what it described as interference with its officials during the raid.
Court proceedings were adjourned after heavy crowds disrupted the hearing. The matter is expected to be taken up again on a later date.
The court will examine whether the presence of a sitting chief minister at an active search site amounts to obstruction under the provisions of the PMLA.
Legal defence backs ED action
Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani criticised Mamata Banerjee’s conduct, calling her visit to the residence of an I-PAC associate during an ED raid “exactly contrary to law”.
He said the searches were carried out strictly in accordance with the PMLA, backed by a registered ECIR and lawful suspicion. Jethmalani alleged that the chief minister’s arrival with senior state police officials amounted to intimidation of central agency officers and claimed that documents were misappropriated during the visit.
The Trinamool Congress rejected the allegations.
TMC MPs detained during Delhi protest
As the Kolkata protest unfolded, several TMC MPs staged demonstrations in New Delhi near the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Delhi Police detained multiple MPs, citing violations of prohibitory orders in restricted zones. Video footage showed lawmakers being escorted into police vehicles.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra accused police of using force against elected representatives.
“Amit Shah’s cops are dragging MPs into police vans,” she said. “We will fight on the streets and we will fight in the courts.”
Police officials denied allegations of misconduct and said the MPs were released after being taken to police stations.
TMC escalates attack on central agencies
Senior Trinamool Congress leaders intensified their criticism of federal investigative bodies, accusing them of political misuse.
TMC MP Kriti Azad used a sharp analogy to describe the agencies, comparing the Central Bureau of Investigation to a “parrot” and the Enforcement Directorate to a “maina”.
The central government has repeatedly rejected such allegations, maintaining that investigative agencies function independently and in accordance with the law.
BJP responds to allegations
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the ED’s actions, stating that no individual is above the law.
Party leaders criticised Mamata Banerjee’s presence at the raid site, calling it unprecedented and inappropriate during an ongoing investigation. They accused the chief minister of attempting to politicise a criminal probe.
Administration on alert in West Bengal
Within West Bengal, senior officials said the state administration remained on alert amid continued political mobilisation. Law enforcement agencies were instructed to maintain order during protests while ensuring public safety.
Government sources said essential services were unaffected, though security was tightened around sensitive locations in Kolkata.
Current status of the case
The Enforcement Directorate has confirmed that its investigation is continuing and that material seized during the searches is under examination.
The Calcutta High Court has not issued any stay on the probe.
No FIR has been registered against Mamata Banerjee so far.
The Trinamool Congress has announced further protests, while the West Bengal government has said it will contest the ED’s allegations through legal proceedings.
