West Bengal Govt Files Caveat in SC Amid ED-I-PAC Row: High-Stakes Legal Battle Escalates

• West Bengal government filed a caveat in the Supreme Court regarding ED's action against I-PAC, seeking to be heard before any decision.
• The move follows ED searches at I-PAC's Kolkata premises and director Pratik Jain's residence, linked to a coal pilferage money laundering probe.
• ED alleges CM Mamata Banerjee removed 'key evidence' during the search; Banerjee denies, accusing ED of overreach and political targeting.
• Mamata Banerjee led street protests, accusing BJP leaders Amit Shah and Suvendu Adhikari of involvement in the coal scam.
• I-PAC stated full cooperation with ED, calling the searches an 'unsettling precedent' but affirming continued work 'unfazed and unperturbed'.

Why It Matters: West Bengal's caveat in SC marks an escalation in the legal and political battle between the state and ED.