Maria Shakeel Reports: Supreme Court Stays Bengal Police FIRs Against ED in Mamata Banerjee Standoff

On this edition of NewsTrack, Maria Shakeel reports on the Supreme Court's significant intervention in the ongoing conflict between the West Bengal government and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The top court has stayed three FIRs filed by the Kolkata Police against ED officials following searches at the premises of political consultancy IPAC. Maria Shakeel notes that the court also issued a notice to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government regarding the ED's request to transfer the investigation to the CBI. During the programme, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar describes the order as a 'supreme slap' to the state government, alleging a breakdown of constitutional machinery. Conversely, TMC representatives argue the ED's actions constitute 'pre-poll interference' aimed at disrupting election strategies. The Supreme Court emphasized that while central agencies must not interfere with election work, 'serious offences cannot be shielded from investigation' by state agencies or political activities. The report explores the intensifying political battle in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming elections.