PolityGovernance
News 0 of 31

Supreme Court to Examine ED vs State Police Conflict, Issues Concerning ₹2,742 Cr Coal Smuggling Probe

PolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GAPrelims MediumMains HighStatic GK Link
18 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:₹2,742 croreJanuary 8, 2026January 15, 2026March 18, 2026
Bodies:Supreme Court of IndiaEnforcement Directorate (ED)Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)Calcutta High CourtKolkata Police
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Supreme Court is hearing an ED petition seeking a CBI probe into alleged obstruction of its raids at I-PAC offices by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and police.

2.The case raises fundamental questions about the scope of central agency investigations and potential interference by state machinery, with a hearing scheduled for March 18, 2026.

3.The core legal issue involves the maintainability of the ED's petition and the interpretation of 'parallel proceedings' when a similar case is pending before the Calcutta High Court.

The Big Picture
Prelims · MediumMains · High

The Supreme Court is set to adjudicate on the conflict between central and state investigative agencies, a core federal issue. The case stems from ED raids on political consultancy I-PAC, linked to a ₹2,742 crore coal smuggling case, and allegations of obstruction by West Bengal police. The verdict will impact the operational independence of central agencies in opposition-ruled states.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Case Hearing DateMarch 18, 2026
Underlying Probe Amount₹2,742 crore coal smuggling case
ED Raid DateJanuary 8, 2026
SC Stay Order DateJanuary 15, 2026

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Case Hearing Date: March 18, 2026
  • ›Underlying Probe Amount: ₹2,742 crore coal smuggling case
  • ›Target this Data: ₹2,742 crore (Value of the underlying coal smuggling case)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Ministry of Finance
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 - the law under which ED conducts raids

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Under which ministry does the Enforcement Directorate (ED) function?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the news:

1. The Supreme Court is hearing a petition filed by the West Bengal government against ED raids.

2. The ED raids were connected to an investigation into a coal smuggling case.

3. The Supreme Court had stayed a police probe initiated by the Kolkata Police against ED officials.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

As per the news, what is the estimated value of the coal smuggling case that led to the ED raids on I-PAC?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the core constitutional principle at stake in the Supreme Court case regarding ED raids in West Bengal?

All 15 MCQs ▸
You finished this topic
Explore Related Topics
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe into Custodial Death, ₹25 Lakh Interim Compensation for 2-Year FIR Delay

The Supreme Court transferred the probe into a 2024 custodial death in Chhattisgarh to the CBI, citing a two-year delay by state police in filing the FIR. It also awarded ₹25 lakh interim compensation to the family, highlighting judicial oversight on police accountability and custodial violence.

Polity Current Affairs

Supreme Court Directs States to Revisit Raising Judicial Officers' Retirement Age to 61 in 2 Weeks

The Supreme Court has held that States cannot use financial burden as a valid ground to oppose enhancing the retirement age of judicial officers. It has directed all States/UTs to decide within two weeks, in consultation with High Courts, on allowing district judges to serve up to 61 years while a petition for uniform 62 years remains pending.

Polity Current Affairs

Supreme Court Clarifies July 31 Order: Media Can Report Proceedings But Cannot Use Audio-Video Clips

The Supreme Court clarified that news outlets can report court proceedings but cannot use audio or video clips in their reports. This balances open justice with preventing misuse of selective clips. Key for understanding judicial transparency and media regulation.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Proposes Special Courts for CBI & NIA Cases on Manipur Ethnic Violence; 891 Witnesses Yet to Testify

The Supreme Court has proposed setting up exclusive Special Courts to hear cases related to the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence investigated by the CBI and NIA, highlighting the slow pace of trials. With 891 out of 904 witnesses yet to be examined and serious charges including sexual violence, this move aims to expedite justice. For exam aspirants, this links to judicial administration, Article 14 (speedy trial), and the role of special courts under the NIA Act.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Forms HPEC Led by Justice R Subhash Reddy to Probe Police Excesses During NEET Protests

The Supreme Court has constituted a High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), led by former SC judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, to investigate the alleged disproportionate use of force by police against protesters at Jantar Mantar and other locations during the NEET-UG paper leak protests. The panel will examine 12 critical issues including use of pellet guns, targeting of female protesters, and the misuse of legal provisions like Section 163 BNSS and Section 152 BNS.

Polity Current Affairs

Supreme Court Uses Article 142 to Quash CJP Protest FIRs; 2,873 Individuals Excluded

The Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to quash thousands of FIRs filed during CJP protests, except for 2,873 individuals with serious criminal antecedents. This controversial use of 'complete justice' powers bypasses the statutory quashing procedure under BNSS, reigniting debate on judicial overreach. For aspirants, this is a critical case study on Article 142's scope and limitations.

Polity Current Affairs

Supreme Court Expands to 38 Judges: Diversity Deficit Exposed as Women Only 4.15%

Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, adding 4 judges to the apex court (strength now 38). However, the article underscores a glaring lack of diversity: women constitute only 4.15% of all SC judges ever appointed, and caste representation in High Courts remains abysmally low. For exam aspirants, this links directly to the collegium system, judicial appointments, social justice, and pendency crisis.

Polity Current Affairs

Supreme Court Rules 1978 'Industry' Definition Not Binding on Industrial Relations Code, 2020

The Supreme Court's nine-judge Constitution Bench ruled that the 1978 landmark precedent defining 'industry' will not automatically apply to the new Industrial Relations Code, 2020. This severs the worker-friendly expansive interpretation, creating a clean slate for future labour disputes under the new code.