The Supreme Court of India, on Wednesday, condemned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her interference in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into the I-PAC consultancy firm, which is associated with her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The court's bench, comprising Justices PK Mishra and NV Anjaria, highlighted that Banerjee's actions during the ongoing investigation posed a significant risk to democracy. The ED had initiated searches at multiple locations in January as part of a money laundering probe connected to a coal smuggling operation allegedly led by Anup Majee. During these searches, Banerjee appeared at the I-PAC office and Pratik Jain's residence, the chief strategist for the TMC, allegedly taking away crucial evidence and documents. The ED has argued that its searches are evidence-based and not politically motivated, while Banerjee has accused the agency of pursuing a vendetta against her party. Following the incident, the ED sought intervention from the Supreme Court after failing to obtain relief from the Calcutta High Court regarding the alleged obstruction of its investigation.