Big Blow to Mamata Banerjee: SC Stays FIR Against ED Officials in I-PAC Raid Case

• The Supreme Court has stayed the FIR registered against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Kolkata concerning the raid on the I-PAC office.
• The apex court issued notices to the West Bengal government, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and DGP Rajiv Kumar, seeking their response on ED's petition alleging obstruction of investigation.
• The court emphasized that the agency's work cannot be interfered with and directed officials to preserve CCTV footage of the raid incidents.
• The ED alleged obstruction during raids on I-PAC's Salt Lake office and director Prateek Jain's Kolkata residence in a coal smuggling case.
• The central agency claimed Mamata Banerjee forcibly entered the house and took away evidence, an allegation denied by TMC.

Why It Matters: Supreme Court halts FIR against ED officials, signaling a major setback for Mamata Banerjee and Bengal government.