ED–TMC Face-Off Disrupts Calcutta High Court Proceedings; Hearing Adjourned
Kolkata: Proceedings at the Calcutta High Court were disrupted on Monday after a large gathering of Trinamool Congress supporters assembled inside the court परिसर during the hearing of petitions linked to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the ruling party.
According to court proceedings, the courtroom witnessed repeated disturbances as individuals with no direct connection to the case remained present despite warnings. The situation escalated to such an extent that Justice Suvra Ghosh, who was presiding over the matter, was compelled to rise from the bench, leading to the adjournment of the hearing.
The case has now been postponed to January 14.
The hearing related to petitions filed amid an ongoing confrontation between the ED and the All India Trinamool Congress, headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The ED has accused the state leadership of obstructing its investigation during a recent raid at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC, alleging interference and possible tampering with evidence.
Following the courtroom disruption, the ED informed the court that the alleged obstruction was not limited to field operations and sought further directions, including a request for investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Trinamool Congress, however, has denied all allegations, maintaining that the ED action is politically motivated. Party leaders have asserted that the seized materials pertain to internal election strategy and have accused central agencies of targeting the state government ahead of elections.
Legal observers described the events inside the High Court as “extraordinary,” noting that disruptions within courtroom proceedings raise serious concerns about maintaining judicial decorum and the independence of the judiciary. The forced adjournment, they said, underscores the growing tension between central investigative agencies and state authorities.
With ED seeking urgent hearing before another bench and the matter now scheduled for further consideration, the episode has intensified the political and legal standoff between the Centre and the West Bengal government.
The developments are expected to draw close scrutiny from constitutional experts, particularly on issues concerning courtroom security, separation of powers, and the limits of political mobilisation within judicial spaces.
