ED Demands CBI Probe Against Mamata, Bengal Cops in I-PAC Raid Row at Calcutta HC

• The ED has moved the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI investigation into alleged obstruction of a lawful search by West Bengal government officials.
• The federal agency claims Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior police interfered in a money-laundering probe, forcibly removing digital evidence and documents during an I-PAC raid.
• The raid targeted I-PAC premises, investigating a Rs 20-crore hawala trail linked to a 2020 coal smuggling syndicate, with funds allegedly reaching I-PAC during its 2021-22 Goa operations.
• The ED's petition details Mamata Banerjee's alleged arrival at Pratik Jain's Kolkata residence, where she reportedly removed a laptop, mobile phones, and files.
• The West Bengal government calls the raids politically motivated, asserting Banerjee was retrieving party documents; the High Court will resume the hearing on January 14.

Why It Matters: ED seeks CBI probe against Mamata Banerjee and Bengal police for obstructing an I-PAC raid.