'You Can't Dictate' : Supreme Court Rejects West Bengal's Adjournment Request In ED's Plea Over I-PAC Raid

The Supreme Court on Wednesday turned down a plea raised on behalf of the State of West Bengal for the adjournment of the hearing of the petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to the I-PAC office raid.

A bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice NV Anjaria was hearing a writ petition filed by the ED against the State of West Bengal over the alleged interference made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with the ED's raid of the office of the I-PAC, the political consultant of the Trinamool Congress party.

At the outset, Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, for the State of West Bengal, requested an adjournment, seeking time to file a response to a rejoinder affidavit filed by the ED. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, for the ED, vehemently opposed the request, saying that it was a tactic to delay the hearing. Pointing out that the rejoinder was filed four weeks ago, the SG said that there was enough time to seek instructions to file a response. "If you want to delay the matter, let's at least have a decent ground," SG said.

Divan submitted that it was not a normal rejoinder, as it had several new averments which went beyond the scope of the case. Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy, also for the State, backed Divan's request, saying that there are new factual averments in the ED's rejoinder.

The bench however said that it will proceed with the hearing. Justice Mishra said that ED can start with the arguments, and the State can respond later.

Divan then submitted that if the Court was proceeding by ignoring the ED's rejoinder, then there would be no objection. "If the court ignores the rejoinder, then there is no problem but if the rejoinder is going to be looked into..." Divan submitted.

"Why should we ignore anything? You cannot dictate. We will consider everything which is on record," Justice Mishra said. "A battle for adjournment is going on," Justice Mishra added.

Divan said that the State is handicapped as it has to argue without a written response traversing the ED's allegations. "It is a sensitive matter that requires a detailed response," Divan said. "It may be a sensitive matter for you," Justice Mishra said.

When the bench made it clear that it won't adjourn the matter, Divan said that the State's preliminary objection to the maintainability of the ED's petition must be heard first. SG opposed, saying that it can be considered along with the merits.

Ultimately, the bench allowed Divan to argue on preliminary objections. The hearing is progressing. Live updates can be followed here.

Case no. – W.P.(Crl.) No. 16/2026

Case Title – Directorate of Enforcement and Anr. v. State of West Bengal and Ors.