New Delhi

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday commenced hearing a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Mamata Banerjee and state officials over alleged obstruction during a search operation at a firm linked to the All India Trinamool Congress.

During the proceedings, counsel for the West Bengal government sought time to respond to the ED’s rejoinder affidavit, arguing that it contained extensive submissions beyond the original scope. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the request, saying any delay must be justified.

A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and K V Vishwanathan declined to adjourn the matter and asked the state to begin arguments.

Representing the state, senior advocate Shyam Divan urged that the case be referred to a Constitution Bench, citing substantial questions related to constitutional interpretation and Centre-State relations.

He raised three key arguments: that the ED lacks independent legal status to file a petition; that a plea under Article 32 requires violation of fundamental rights, which the ED cannot claim; and that the dispute falls within the constitutional framework governing Centre-State conflicts.

Divan also referred to Article 145, arguing that a government department without corporate status cannot independently initiate legal proceedings.

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The case relates to alleged obstruction of ED officials during a search at the offices of I-PAC, a political consultancy firm linked to the ruling party in West Bengal.