#ED vs. #WB Govt standoff hinges on the outcome of Review Petition against the 2022 Vijay Madanlal Choudhary judgment

The Review Petition against the 2022 Vijay Madanlal Choudhary judgment is perhaps the most significant legal development currently pending in the Supreme Court regarding the powers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

In Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India (2022), the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark judgment that fundamentally reshaped the landscape of financial crime prosecution. A three-judge bench upheld the constitutional validity of almost all the contested provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

This ruling significantly empowered the Enforcement Directorate (ED), effectively distinguishing it from the regular police and exempting it from several standard criminal procedure safeguards.

The review petition (led by Karti Chidambaram and others) challenges these "harsh" interpretations on 13 specific grounds, primarily:  

ECIR Copy : ED is not required to give the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) to the accused. Violates Article 21; an accused must know the full nature of the allegations to defend themselves.

Self-Incrimination : Statements made under Section 50 are admissible in court; ED officers are not "police officers." Violates Article 20(3) (Right against self-incrimination) and the Evidence Act.

Bail (Twin Conditions) : Accused must prove they are "not guilty" at the bail stage (Section 45). Reverses the "Presumption of Innocence," making bail nearly impossible.

Money Bill : Upheld PMLA amendments made via the "Money Bill" route. Argued as unconstitutional; a criminal law cannot be amended via a fiscal budget tool.

Definition of Offense : "Possession" of crime proceeds is enough to charge someone with money laundering. Argument against it is that "projecting" the money as untainted must be a necessary ingredient (i.e., trying to make "dirty" money look "clean").

Connection to the West Bengal / I-PAC Case

The outcome of this review is directly relevant to the current ED vs. West Bengal standoff.

The West Bengal government's defense in the I-PAC raid hinges on the argument that the ED is using its "unchecked powers" to seize confidential political data.  

If the Review Bench (CJI Surya Kant's bench) eventually rules that ED officers are akin to police or that procedural safeguards of the CrPC apply, it would significantly weaken the ED's current legal standing in the Bengal case.

The Supreme Court is currently deciding the "Maintainability" of the review. Since reviews have a very narrow scope (restricted to "errors apparent on the face of the record"), the ED is arguing that the petitioners are trying to re-argue the entire case. However, the bench has shown a willingness to examine at least two major issues: the non-supply of ECIR and the reversal of the burden of proof.  

#ED's two-pronged legal strategy of filing SLP under 136 and writ under article 32 in #SC tomorrow

• Supreme Court Hearing Schedule (Jan 12, 2026)
• Courtroom: Court No. 1 (Chief Justice's Court).
• Bench: Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
• Item Number: The matter is listed as a Fresh Admission item (likely within the first 5-10 items).

In the high-stakes legal battle between Enforcement Directorate (ED) and West Bengal govt. ED is currently pursuing the two distinct legal routes in the Supreme Court in the case related to its raids on I-PAC (the political consultancy firm associated with the Trinamool Congress).

While the ED initially considered an Article 32 writ petition (for direct violation of fundamental rights/obstruction of justice), the focus has shifted toward Article 136, which involves a Special Leave Petition (SLP).

Why Article 136?

The ED is using Article 136 to challenge the Calcutta High Court's refusal to grant an urgent hearing on January 9.

The Trigger: Justice Suvra Ghosh adjourned the matter to January 14 due to "chaos" in the courtroom.

The ED's Argument: The agency argues that a delay of even four days is fatal to the investigation, as digital evidence allegedly "stolen" by the State administration could be wiped or tampered with before the High Court reconvenes.

The Power of 136: This article gives the Supreme Court discretionary power to grant "Special Leave" to appeal against any order or determination from any court in India.

Tomorrow's Bench (Monday, Jan 12, 2026)

The SLP under Article 136 is expected to be mentioned alongside the main petition before:

Court No. 1: Chief Justice of India (CJI) and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.

The "Caveat" Factor: Usually, in an SLP, the petitioner (ED) tries to get an "ad-interim" stay or direction on the first day. However, because of the Caveat, the Supreme Court Registry has already alerted the West Bengal government's legal team. They will be present in the courtroom the moment the case is called.

What the ED is specifically asking for under Art. 136:

Immediate Custody: That the digital devices (laptops and phones) allegedly taken from the raid site be deposited with the Supreme Court Registry or a central forensic lab.

Stay on Police Action: To prevent the West Bengal Police from filing "retaliatory" FIRs against ED officers who conducted the raid.

CBI Monitoring: A direction that the CBI should oversee the "recovery" of the evidence allegedly removed by the Chief Minister.

Current Status: The case is in the "Pre-Admission" stage. Tomorrow morning (10:30 AM), the CJI will decide whether to "Issue Notice" or pass an "Interim Order."

 Role of the Caveat Tomorrow

The West Bengal government’s Caveat is the most critical document for the morning session.

Presence of Counsel: Because the caveat was filed and served, the Court Registry has already notified the State’s Advocate-on-Record. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal is expected to be present to represent the State.

No Ex-Parte Orders: Usually, the ED would ask the CJI for an "ad-interim" direction (like the immediate return of the laptop and green folder seen with the CM) before the other side even knows about the case. The caveat makes this impossible. The CJI must hear the State’s objections before passing any such order.

What the ED is seeking (The Article 136 Route)

The ED is arguing that the Calcutta High Court failed to act when its proceedings were disrupted by "mobs" on Friday. They are asking the Supreme Court to:

Seal the Evidence: Force the State to deposit the digital devices allegedly removed by the CM into the custody of the Supreme Court.

CBI Probe: Direct the CBI to investigate the "theft" of evidence from a central agency's search site.

Protection: Restrain the State Police from taking any coercive action against the ED officers who conducted the I-PAC raid.

The State’s Defense

The State will likely argue that:

The ED’s raid was a "fishing expedition" to steal confidential 2026 election data.  

There is no "urgent" need for Supreme Court intervention since the High Court is already seized of the matter and will hear it on Wednesday (Jan 14).

WB Govt. moves to #SC files caveat in #ED raid case on #I-PAC

• West Bengal government filed the caveat today, January 10, 2026, through Advocate-on-Record Kunal Mimani.
• The matter is set to be "mentioned" for urgent listing on Monday morning before Court No. 1, presided over by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
• Effect of Caveat: Because the West Bengal government's caveat is already lodged, the CJI’s bench cannot pass any interim order (like staying the local police probe or ordering a CBI takeover) without hearing Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal (representing the State) first.

In a major legal escalation, the West Bengal government filed a caveat in the Supreme Court on January 10, 2026, directly linked to the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on I-PAC (the political consultancy firm associated with the Trinamool Congress).  

This move is a strategic legal "shield" designed to prevent the central agency from obtaining any emergency orders from the apex court behind closed doors.  

The Immediate Context: The I-PAC Raids

The caveat was filed following dramatic events on January 8, 2026, when the ED raided the I-PAC headquarters in Kolkata and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain, as part of a money-laundering investigation into an alleged coal pilferage scam.  

The Conflict: The ED has alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally entered the raid site and removed "crucial evidence," including physical documents and electronic devices, while being assisted by state police.  

The State's Counter-Claim: The West Bengal government and TMC have accused the ED of "overreach" and attempting to seize confidential election strategies and party data ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.  

 Why the Caveat was filed by Bengal government

The Bengal government anticipated that the ED would move the Supreme Court to seek urgent intervention (such as a CBI probe into the CM's alleged interference or protection for ED officials).  

Purpose: By filing the caveat, the State government has legally "warned" the Supreme Court that no order—interim or otherwise—should be passed without first giving the West Bengal government an opportunity to present its version of events.  

The Goal: To prevent the ED from getting an ex-parte order (one-sided) that could potentially transfer investigations to the CBI or lead to other strictures against the state administration.  

Legal Status of the Case

As of today, January 10, 2026:

In the Calcutta High Court: The ED has already filed a writ petition seeking a CBI probe against the Chief Minister. However, the High Court adjourned the hearing to January 14, 2026, after disruptions in the courtroom.  

In the Supreme Court: The ED has formally moved the apex court under Article 32, alleging obstruction of justice. Because the State's caveat is now on record, the Supreme Court registry is mandated to notify the West Bengal government's counsel before the matter is heard by a Bench.  

As of January 10, 2026, the legal battle between the West Bengal Government and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved to the highest level.

Here is the current status of the caveat and the upcoming court proceedings:

1. The Supreme Court Status

Filing Date: The West Bengal government filed the caveat today, January 10, 2026, through Advocate-on-Record Kunal Mimani.

The ED's Move: Almost simultaneously, the ED has filed a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. They are alleging "obstruction of justice" and "theft of evidence" by the State administration during the I-PAC raids.

The Bench: While a specific bench has not been formally notified in the cause list yet, the matter is expected to be mentioned for urgent listing before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday, January 12, 2026.

Impact of the Caveat: Because the caveat is active, the Supreme Court Registry cannot list the ED's plea for an ex-parte hearing. The State’s counsel (likely to be led by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal) must be informed of the exact time and courtroom before the judges hear the ED.

2. Parallel Proceedings in Calcutta High Court

The Supreme Court case is running alongside a volatile situation in the High Court:

Next Hearing: January 14, 2026.

Justice Suvra Ghosh adjourned the matter yesterday (January 9) after the courtroom became unmanageable due to overcrowding and shouting between pro-TMC and pro-BJP lawyers.

The ED’s Demand: The agency is asking the High Court to order a CBI investigation into Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and State DGP Rajeev Kumar for their alleged role in removing documents from the raid site.

The breakdown of the upcoming schedule and the bench details:

1. Supreme Court: Monday, January 12, 2026

The ED has formally filed an Article 32 petition (Writ Petition) alleging "obstruction of justice" and "theft of evidence" by the Chief Minister.

Urgent Mentioning: The matter is set to be "mentioned" for urgent listing on Monday morning before Court No. 1, presided over by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.

Item Number: Since it is a fresh filing, it is expected to appear as a "Supplementary" item or be mentioned at 10:30 AM during the miscellaneous mentioning period.

Effect of Caveat: Because the West Bengal government's caveat is already lodged, the CJI’s bench cannot pass any interim order (like staying the local police probe or ordering a CBI takeover) without hearing Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal (representing the State) first.

2. Calcutta High Court: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

While the Supreme Court deals with the "Constitutional Obstruction" aspect, the High Court is still handling the granular details of the raids.

The Bench: Justice Suvra Ghosh.

The Conflict: The ED wants a CBI FIR registered against Mamata Banerjee and the State DGP. Conversely, the State government has filed a counter-petition demanding the ED return "confidential election data" seized during the raids.

In the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), 1908, a Caveat is a preemptive legal notice filed in a court to ensure that no order or judgment is passed against a person without giving them a fair opportunity to be heard.

It is governed by Section 148A, which was added to the CPC in 1976.

1. The Core Meaning

The term "Caveat" comes from Latin, meaning "let him beware." In a legal context, it acts as a "warning" to the court.

Purpose: To prevent the court from passing an ex-parte order (an order passed in the absence of one party).

Principle: It is based on the principle of Audi Alteram Partem—no person shall be condemned unheard.

2. Who Can File a Caveat?

According to Section 148A(1), a caveat can be filed by:

Any person claiming a right to appear before the court.

This applies if an application has already been made or is expected to be made in a suit or proceeding.

The person filing the caveat is called the Caveator, and the person expected to file the case is the Caveatee.

3. Key Duties and Procedures

Once a caveat is lodged, the law imposes specific duties on three parties:

Party Duty

The Caveator Must serve a notice of the caveat to the "Caveatee" (the person expected to file the case) via registered post.

The Court Must serve a notice to the Caveator if an application is filed, ensuring they are informed of the hearing.

The Applicant Once notified of the caveat, the applicant must provide the Caveator (at the Caveator's expense) with a copy of the application and all supporting documents.

4. Validity and Duration

A caveat does not stay active forever.

90 Days: Under Section 148A(5), a caveat remains in force for 90 days from the date it was lodged.

Renewal: If the expected application is not filed within those 90 days, the caveat expires. To remain protected, the Caveator must file a fresh caveat.

5. Why is it Important?

Protection against Injunctions: It is most commonly used to prevent the court from granting sudden stay orders or interim injunctions in property or commercial disputes.

Saves Costs: It prevents the need for "setting aside" an ex-parte order later, which saves time and legal fees.

Transparency: It forces the opposing party to share their case documents immediately.

Note: A caveat can be filed in any Civil Court of original jurisdiction, Appellate Courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court. However, it applies only to civil proceedings and not to criminal cases.

Recent judicial interpretations of Section 148A of the CPC have clarified that while a caveat is a shield for the caveator, it is not an absolute barrier that can be used to stall the court's jurisdiction indefinitely.

Here are the key recent and significant case laws categorizing the various legal dimensions of a caveat:

1. Mandatory Compliance vs. Court's Power

Mamta Devi v. Rakesh Kumar Yadav (Madhya Pradesh High Court, 2024) The court clarified the "sequential" nature of Section 148A. It held that the duties of the Court (Sub-section 3) only come into play once the Caveator has fulfilled their mandatory duty under Sub-section 2 (serving notice to the opposing party). If the caveator fails to prove they served the notice, they cannot later complain that the court passed an order without hearing them.

2. Legal Status of Orders Passed Ignoring a Caveat

Reserve Bank of India Employees Association v. RBI (Andhra Pradesh High Court) This is a seminal case often cited in recent years. The court held that an order passed without hearing a caveator (despite a valid caveat) is not a nullity (completely void) but is irregular and illegal. This means the order exists until it is challenged and set aside by the aggrieved caveator.

C. Seethaiah v. Government of Andhra Pradesh Contrasting slightly with the above, this case emphasizes that once a caveat is lodged, the court's power to pass an ex-parte order is curtailed. Passing such an order without notice to the caveator is considered a violation of statutory duty.

3. Maintainability in Writ Jurisdictions

K.P. Harikrishnan v. C.K. Jacob (Kerala High Court) The court ruled that a Caveat under Section 148A of the CPC is generally not maintainable in Writ Petitions (Article 226) because the CPC does not strictly apply to constitutional remedies unless the specific High Court Rules provide for it. Most High Courts now have their own rules for "Writ Caveats."

4. Right of "Proper Parties"

Common Law Principle (Reiterated in 2023-2025 rulings) Recent interpretations confirm that you don't have to be a "Necessary Party" (someone without whom the case cannot be decided) to file a caveat. Even a "Proper Party"—someone whose presence would help the court adjudicate more effectively—has the right to lodge a caveat if their interests are affected.

5. Limitation and Expiry

Section 148A(5) Interpretations Courts have recently been strict about the 90-day expiry. If an interim order is passed on the 91st day and the caveator didn't renew the filing, they cannot claim a right to be heard. The "90-day" clock is absolute and cannot be extended via Section 5 of the Limitation Act.

A landmark judgment on #PMLA that defined the powers of #ED

In Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India (2022), the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark judgment that fundamentally reshaped the landscape of financial crime prosecution. A three-judge bench upheld the constitutional validity of almost all the contested provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

This ruling significantly empowered the Enforcement Directorate (ED), effectively distinguishing it from the regular police and exempting it from several standard criminal procedure safeguards.

Key Pillars of the Judgment

Status of the ED (Not "Police Officers"): The Court held that ED officers are not "police officers." This is a crucial distinction because it means:

Section 50 Statements: Statements made to ED officers are admissible in court as evidence, unlike statements made to police officers (which are generally inadmissible under the Evidence Act).

Self-Incrimination: The Court ruled this does not violate the right against self-incrimination (Article 20(3)) because the person is not an "accused" at the time of the inquiry.

The "Twin Conditions" for Bail (Section 45): The Court upheld the extremely stringent bail requirements. For an accused to get bail:

The Public Prosecutor must be given an opportunity to oppose the bail.

The Court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe the accused is not guilty of the offence and is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.

Effect: This essentially reverses the "presumption of innocence" during the bail stage.

ECIR vs. FIR: The Court ruled that the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) is an internal document and not equivalent to a First Information Report (FIR). Therefore, the ED is not required to provide a copy of the ECIR to the accused; simply informing them of the grounds of arrest is sufficient.

Proceeds of Crime (Section 3): The Court broadened the definition of money laundering. It clarified that "money laundering" is not just the act of projecting "dirty money" as "clean money" (untainted), but includes any activity connected to the proceeds of crime, such as possession, acquisition, or use.

The "Predicate Offence" Link: In a rare bit of relief for the accused, the Court clarified that if a person is acquitted or discharged in the "predicate offence" (the original crime that generated the money), the money laundering case cannot continue.

Since 2022, several review petitions were filed. While the core of the judgment remains law, subsequent benches in 2023 and 2024 (such as in the Pankaj Bansal and Manish Sisodia cases) have slightly moderated the impact by emphasizing that:

Grounds of arrest must be provided in writing.

Prolonged incarceration without trial violates Article 21 (Right to Life and Liberty), which can sometimes override the PMLA's strict bail conditions.

While the 2022 Vijay Madanlal Choudhary judgment initially gave the Enforcement Directorate (ED) nearly unfettered power, the Supreme Court has since moved to "rebalance" the scales. In high-profile cases throughout 2024 and 2025, the Court has shifted from focusing on the strict PMLA provisions to prioritizing Fundamental Rights (Article 21).  

Here is how the judgment has been applied and refined in recent major cases:

1. The "Trial as Punishment" Rule (Manish Sisodia Case)

In August 2024, the Supreme Court granted bail to former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia after 17 months in jail.  

The Shift: The Court ruled that even if the "twin conditions" of PMLA (Section 45) make bail difficult, they cannot override the Right to Life and Liberty (Article 21).  

Application: If a trial is unlikely to conclude in a reasonable time (in Sisodia’s case, thousands of documents and hundreds of witnesses), prolonged pre-trial detention becomes "punishment without trial." This has become a key precedent for other PMLA accused.  

2. The Right to Know "Grounds of Arrest" (Pankaj Bansal Case)

The Vijay Madanlal ruling said the ED only needs to "inform" the accused of the grounds of arrest. However, in the Pankaj Bansal v. Union of India (2023) case, the Court tightened this:  

The Change: The Court made it mandatory for the ED to provide the grounds of arrest in writing to the accused.

Impact: This was a significant check on the ED’s power, ensuring that the accused has a fair chance to challenge their detention immediately.

3. "Bail is the Rule" Re-established (Sanjay Singh & Hemant Soren)

Sanjay Singh (AAP): In April 2024, the Court granted him bail after the ED conceded they no longer needed his custody. Crucially, the Court warned that if it had to rule on "merits," it might have to record a finding that he was prima facie not guilty, which would have weakened the ED's entire case.  

Hemant Soren (Jharkhand CM): After his arrest, the Jharkhand High Court and later discussions in superior courts emphasized that the "proceeds of crime" must be clearly linked to the accused. Soren was eventually granted bail (June 2024) after the High Court found there were no "reasonable grounds" to believe he was guilty of the specific land-grabbing charges linked to PMLA.

4. Recent 2025 Trends: The "Oxygen" of a Predicate Offence

In early 2025, the Supreme Court clarified a vital point from Vijay Madanlal:

The Ruling: The Court described the "predicate offence" (the original crime like corruption or fraud) as the oxygen for a PMLA case.

Effect: If the accused is acquitted in the original crime, the PMLA case must "die a natural death." The ED cannot continue a money laundering probe if the underlying crime is no longer legally valid.

The judgment was criticized by civil rights activists for granting the ED "draconian" powers and diluting the rights of the accused. However, the Court justified these measures by stating that money laundering is a "heinous" crime that threatens the sovereignty and financial integrity of the nation.

#ED moves to #Calcutta HC for obstructing investigation, hearing scheduled for tomorrow

Bidhannagar commissionerate of West Bengal police has registered F.I.R s against the ED officers for unlawfully trespassing and theft from the Ipac office

#ED has moved to  #CalcuttaHC, on the ground of #WestBengal CM #MamataBanerjee obstructed investigation, forcibly moved evidence from search location. 

Calcutta HC has given nod to file case, hearing is likely to be held tomorrow.

On the ED raids at the IPAC office in Kolkata, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "... I heard that ED's Forensic Team had come and they transferred some data. They took our hard disk, our financial papers, political papers... BJP has lakhs and crores of property, but CBI and ED not caught anyone..."

According to the ED, Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by a large contingent of police officials, personally entered the residential premises of Prateek Jain and removed crucial evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices.

The CM’s convoy then proceeded to I-PAC’s office, where Mamata Banerjee, her aides, and state police personnel forcibly seized documents and electronic evidence linked to an ongoing investigation.

These actions, as stated by the ED, amount to direct obstruction of a lawful investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to a official statement made by TMC party, What has unfolded is deliberate and politically motivated. This is yet another attempt by the BJP to capture Bengal through unethical means.

Unable to fight democratically, the BJP is now using the ED as a weapon, trying to forcibly seize party documents, internal strategies, candidate-related details, and crucial papers. 

The raid is a part of this larger conspiracy, orchestrated through the ED under the direction of an authoritarian Home Minister.

Hon’ble Chairperson Mamata Banerjee has made it absolutely clear, that this conspiracy will be resisted at every step and will never be allowed to succeed.

ED Headquarters Unit is conducting search action at 10 premises (6 in West Bengal and 4 in Delhi) under PMLA in connection with coal smuggling syndicate led by Anup Majee used to steal and illegally excavate coal from ECL leasehold areas of West Bengal. The search action was undertaken in a peaceful manner till the arrival of Chief Minister of West Bengal along with Police personnel and Officers of West Bengal administration who forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidences in 2 of the premises. It is clarified that the search is evidence based and is not targeted at any political establishment. No party office has been searched. The search is not linked to any elections, and is part of regular crackdown on money laundering. The search is conducted strictly in accordance with established legal safeguards.

#ED raids at the #IPAC office in #Kolkata, WB CM #Mamata breathes fire against HM #Shah

ED raids at the IPAC office in #Kolkata.
WB CM Mamata Banerjee accused HM Amit Shah of stealing her party documents.

ED raids at the IPAC office in #Kolkata.WB CM Mamata Banerjee accused HM Amit Shah of stealing her party documents.

It's ED vs TMC all out in open. Whole IPAC office is surrounded by Police Forces amidst the ongoing raids. CM Mamata Banerjee is also present here now.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee visits I-PAC Director Prateek Jain’s residence after an ED raid and says, “Is it the duty of Home Minister Amit Shah and the ED to take away all my party documents? If I go to the BJP party office, what will be the result? Under the SIR, 5 lakh names have been deleted. Just because there is an election, they are taking away all my party’s documents.”
She also said, "Why did you raid our party's IT sector and take all our papers?... Why did you delete 94 lakh names from the voters' list using an App that is not credible?... Whatever the Election Commission is doing is according to the actions of the BJP... More than 72 people have died, some died by suicide due to the SIR. Who is responsible for this? How can they raid the IPAC office? If I raid their party's IT office, will it be alright?... You have crossed all the limits. You have taken all the data from our party's IT Office. Our SIR data, our party policy data, our candidate list, our booth president list, our future strategy. The IPAC is not operating privately. They are authorised by the AITC. They work on our name according to the agreement... Collecting data from any IT sector at any time is it not a crime? Is it not the murder of democracy... We will wait here until IPAC chief Pratik Jain comes here and settles all of this..."

According to a press statement made by ED "The search is evidence-based and is not targeted at any political establishment. The search is ongoing at 10 places (6 in West Bengal and 4 in Delhi). The case relates to illegal coal smuggling. The search covers various premises linked to the generation of cash, hawala transfer, etc., in that case. No party office has been searched. The search is not linked to any elections and is part of a regular crackdown on money laundering. The search is conducted strictly in accordance with established legal safeguards. Certain persons, including constitutional functionaries, have come to 2 premises (out of 10), intruded illegally by misusing their position and snatched away the documents.It's ED vs TMC all out in open. Whole IPAC office is surrounded by Police Forces amidst the ongoing raids. CM Mamata Banerjee was also present at the spot.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee visited I-PAC Director Prateek Jain’s residence after an ED raid and said, “Is it the duty of Home Minister Amit Shah and the ED to take away all my party documents? If I go to the BJP party office, what will be the result? Under the SIR, 5 lakh names have been deleted. Just because there is an election, they are taking away all my party’s documents.”

She also said, "Why did you raid our party's IT sector and take all our papers?... Why did you delete 94 lakh names from the voters' list using an App that is not credible?... Whatever the Election Commission is doing is according to the actions of the BJP... More than 72 people have died, some died by suicide due to the SIR. Who is responsible for this? How can they raid the IPAC office? If I raid their party's IT office, will it be alright?... You have crossed all the limits. You have taken all the data from our party's IT Office. Our SIR data, our party policy data, our candidate list, our booth president list, our future strategy. The IPAC is not operating privately. They are authorised by the AITC. They work on our name according to the agreement... Collecting data from any IT sector at any time is it not a crime? Is it not the murder of democracy... We will wait here until IPAC chief Pratik Jain comes here and settles all of this..."

According to a press statement made by ED "The search is evidence-based and is not targeted at any political establishment. The search is ongoing at 10 places (6 in West Bengal and 4 in Delhi). The case relates to illegal coal smuggling. The search covers various premises linked to the generation of cash, hawala transfer, etc., in that case. No party office has been searched. The search is not linked to any elections and is part of a regular crackdown on money laundering. The search is conducted strictly in accordance with established legal safeguards. Certain persons, including constitutional functionaries, have come to 2 premises (out of 10), intruded illegally by misusing their position and snatched away the documents.

#Trump clears proposed bill to levy 500% tariff on imports from #India #China #Brazil

The proposed US legislation, if passed, would impose a 500% tariff on imports from countries like India and China that continue to buy Russian energy products. 

India has been the second-largest buyer of Russian oil after China. 

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 is a major piece of bipartisan U.S. legislation (introduced as S. 1241 in the Senate and H.R. 2548 in the House) designed to exert maximum economic pressure on Russia and its trading partners.

The bill gained significant momentum throughout 2025 and was recently "greenlit" by the Trump administration in early January 2026 to serve as a "diplomatic hammer" in ongoing peace negotiations.

1. Key Provisions of the Act

The bill is often referred to as an "economic bunker buster" because it targets not just Russia, but any nation that continues to provide it with a financial lifeline.

The "500% Tariff": The most aggressive provision requires the U.S. to impose a 500% tariff on all imports from any country that continues to purchase Russian oil, natural gas, petroleum products, or uranium. This is specifically aimed at major buyers like China and India.

Banking Isolation: It mandates blocking access to financial services for Russian banks and seeks to disconnect them from international systems similar to SWIFT.

Nuclear Restrictions: A total ban on uranium imports from Rosatom (and its subsidiaries), extending to third-party countries that trade in Russian-origin nuclear materials.

Investment Bans: Prohibits U.S. investment in Russian state-linked entities and bans Russian companies from being listed on U.S. stock exchanges.

2. Strategic Purpose

Unlike previous sanctions, this Act is explicitly tied to Russia's conduct in peace talks. The penalties are triggered or escalated if the President determines that Russia:

Refuses to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine in good faith.

Violates any existing or future peace agreement.

Initiates a new military invasion or escalation in Ukraine.

3. Legislative Status (as of January 2026)

Senate: S. 1241 was introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). It currently has over 80 bipartisan co-sponsors, a supermajority capable of overriding a presidential veto.

House: A companion bill (H.R. 2548) is led by Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and has similar broad support.

Current Action: Following a meeting between Senator Graham and President Trump on January 7, 2026, the bill is expected to move to a final floor vote this month to strengthen the U.S. hand in current diplomatic effort.

Country Estimated Impact

India : Has already begun reducing Russian oil imports (down 13% in late 2025) to avoid the threat of these reciprocal tariffs.

China : Faces the highest risk of the 500% tariff, which would effectively halt its exports to the U.S. if it continues energy purchases from Moscow.

EU/UK : Generally aligned with the U.S., focusing on phasing out Russian gas entirely by 2027.

1,74,386 candidates pass AIBE XX

The gender-wise result data shows that female candidates outperformed male, recording a 71.01% pass rate.

Results of the All India Bar Examination XX (AIBE XX) has been declared by the Bar Council of India (BCI) . The pass percentage stands at 69.21%. 2,51,968 candidates appeared for the exam. Only 1,74,386 have qualified AIBE XX.

AIBE XX was conducted on November 30, 2025 across 399 centres.
A Monitoring Committee considered objections from candidates and has withdrawn 5 out of the total 100 questions in AIBE XX. The Committee has decided to award full marks to candidates who opted for either of the two answers for two questions that had two options that were correct answers. The result will now be based on 95 marks.
Qualifying marks for General and OBC category candidates is 43 (45% of 95 marks). For the SC/ST/PwD categories, the qualifying mark is 38.
Qualified candidates will be issued a Certificate of Practice (CoP) by the Bar Council of India, which will be sent to their respective State Bar Councils. One can also track/view a digital version via the AIBESCOPE app.
As per the AIBE result data shared by the BCI :
Highest Qualification Rate: Tamil Nadu and Puducherry led with an 86.49% pass rate, followed closely by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir at 84.59%. Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Kerala also reported high pass rates.
Highest Number of Qualified Candidates: Uttar Pradesh had the largest volume of successful candidates, with 23,911 individuals qualifying.
Out of 4056 candidates appeared from West Bengal 2997 have qualified and 1059 failed to qualify.

#Census first phase to be held from April 1 to September 30

• First fully digital census with mobile app and online self-enumeration.
• To include caste enumeration for all communities.
• More than 35 lakh field functionaries to be trained across India.
• Cabinet had approved the scheme of Conduct of Census of India 2027 at a cost of Rs.11,718.24 crore

The first phase of the decennial Indian Census, officially known as Census 2027, is scheduled to take place this year across India between April 1 and September 30, 2026.

After being delayed from its original 2021 timeline due to the pandemic, the notification for formal schedule for the exercise was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 7, 2026. 

Phase 1: House-listing and Housing Census

The first phase focuses on the infrastructure and assets of households rather than individual population counts.

Timeline: It will be conducted across India between April 1 and September 30, 2026.

Execution: Each State and Union Territory (UT) will choose a specific 30-day window within this six-month period to carry out the operations.

Key Data Collected: Enumerators will collect information on housing conditions (building materials, number of rooms), available amenities (drinking water, electricity, toilets), and household assets (TVs, vehicles, internet access).

Self-Enumeration: For the first time, citizens have a self-enumeration option. This allows you to fill in your details digitally via a mobile app or portal during a 15-day window immediately preceding the house-to-house visit in your area.

Key Highlights of the 2027 Census

First Digital Census: Data will be collected via mobile apps (Android/iOS) instead of paper forms.

Caste Enumeration: The upcoming census will include a count of caste identities for the first time in independent India.

In April 2025, the Cabinet Committee had decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming Census, which is the 16th official population count in India and the eighth after after independence.

 Approximately 30 lakh (3 million) enumerators and supervisors (mostly government teachers) will be involved.

Snow-Bound Areas In remote areas like Ladakh and parts of Himachal Pradesh/Uttarakhand, enumeration starts earlier (October 2026).

The Second Phase (Population Enumeration)—where actual population data like age, religion, education, and occupation are recorded—is scheduled for February 2027, with the official reference date being March 1, 2027.

The Indian Census is the largest single source of various statistical information on various characteristics of the people of India. With a history of more than 150 years, this reliable, time-tested exercise is bringing in a real insight into population data every 10 years.

Beginning in the year 1872, the first census was conducted at different times in different parts of India. The Indian Census has been a useful source of data for scholars and researchers in demography, economics, anthropology, sociology, statistics and many other disciplines. The rich diversity of India's people is revealed by the decadal census, which has become a tool for understanding and studying India.

Consumer court orders Hotel Leela Palace #Udaipur to pay ₹10 lakh competition for breach of privacy of guest

In the case of SN v. Schloss Udaipur Private Limited (Decided: December 16, 2025), the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (North) delivered a significant verdict on the liability of luxury hotels for privacy breaches.
This case highlights the increasing accountability of five-star luxury brands towards "dignified and safe" consumer experiences, specifically regarding safety lapses during high-value celebrations.
The complainant, a Chennai-based advocate, had booked a room at The Leela Palace, Udaipur (managed by Schloss Udaipur Pvt. Ltd.) for ₹55,500 in January 2025. While the complainant (who was pregnant at the time) and her husband were in the room, a housekeeping staff member entered using a master key. Despite the couple reportedly shouting "No service," the staff member entered, causing a severe invasion of privacy.
The Court's Detailed Observations
The Commission made several "standard-setting" remarks for the premium hospitality industry:
Standard of Privacy: The court ruled that "privacy is the core of hospitality," especially in the luxury segment. The hotel’s reliance on internal SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) could not override a guest's fundamental right to dignity and privacy.
The "Master Key" Misuse: The Commission observed that entering an occupied room with a master key shortly after ringing a bell—without waiting for a response—was unreasonable and intrusive.
Vulnerability Factor: The court took specific note of the complainant’s pregnancy, stating that the hotel had a heightened duty of care to ensure she was not subjected to sudden shocks or mental trauma.
Infrastructure Failure: The court also addressed allegations regarding a "peeping" incident due to faulty washroom door fittings, further establishing "deficiency in service."
Compensation Breakdown
The Commission ordered a substantial payout to serve as both compensation and a deterrent:
Head of Compensation Amount Awarded
Mental Agony & Deficiency in Service ₹10,00,000 (10 Lakhs)
Room Tariff Refund ₹55,500
Interest on Refund 9% per annum (from Jan 2025 until payment)
Litigation Costs ₹10,000
This case is being cited in 2026 as a primary example of "Privacy as a Guaranteed Service." It moves away from the old standard where hotels could escape liability by blaming a single "errant staff member." Instead, it holds the corporate entity (Schloss Udaipur) vicariously and strictly liable for the emotional distress caused by a breach of the "sacred space" of a hotel room.
Feature Impact of the Case
Strict Liability : It reinforces that luxury hotels are strictly liable for the security of their guests' rooms.
Non-Financial Damages : Proves that mental agony and "loss of dignity" are valid grounds for high compensation in the hospitality sector.
Privacy as a Service: The judgement recognizes "privacy" as an essential part of the service contract in the hotel industry.