- India,
- 10-Jan-2026 08:11 AM IST
West Bengal Opposition Leader Issues Legal Notice to Chief Minister: 72-Hour Deadline for Reply; Mamata Had Claimed – Suvendu Channels Coal Scam Money to Shah
Political temperature in West Bengal has risen sharply once again. State Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has sent a strong legal notice to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday. The notice demands concrete evidence for the serious allegations she made regarding the coal smuggling case. Suvendu has given Mamata 72 hours to provide proof, failing which he will file a defamation case against her.
Where did the allegations begin?
The controversy erupted on 8 January 2026, when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at the Kolkata office of I-PAC (a political consultancy firm closely associated with TMC) and the residence of its director Prateek Jain. According to ED, the raids were part of a money laundering investigation linked to the Bengal coal smuggling syndicate. The agency claims that between 2017–2020, the coal smuggling network generated a cash pool of approximately ₹2,742 crore, out of which around ₹20 crore was allegedly transferred via hawala to I-PAC for election-related activities.
Mamata Banerjee personally reached the spot during the raid and accused ED of trying to steal TMC’s election strategy, candidate list, and other confidential documents. In protest, she lodged two FIRs against ED officials and organized a major march in Kolkata.
During the rally, Mamata made explosive statements:
- Money from the coal scam is reaching top BJP leaders.
- The money goes through Jagannath Sarkar (BJP MP) to Suvendu Adhikari, and finally reaches Amit Shah.
- She claimed to have pen drives containing evidence against Amit Shah and threatened to make them public if needed.
- She called Suvendu a “traitor” and Jagannath a “dacoit”.
Mamata said: “I am silent because I hold a constitutional post. But if they cross the line, I will expose everything.”
Suvendu Adhikari’s strong counter: “Baseless and defamatory allegations”
Suvendu Adhikari termed the accusations as a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the ED investigation. He posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Today, CM Mamata Banerjee, in an attempt to divert attention from the ED investigation, made completely baseless and defamatory allegations against me and linked me to the Union Home Minister in the coal scam. These reckless statements… were made publicly without any evidence. I have today served her a legal notice demanding all evidence within 72 hours. If she fails to do so, I will file a defamation suit.”
The notice was sent through advocate Suryanil Das. It describes Mamata’s statements as “reckless, unfounded, and completely unsubstantiated.”
Chaos in Calcutta High Court
Both ED and TMC filed petitions in the Calcutta High Court. ED accused Mamata of obstructing the investigation and hijacking evidence, demanding a CBI probe and independent forensic examination. TMC, on the other hand, accused ED of political vendetta.
On 9 January, hearing was scheduled before Justice Subhra Ghosh’s bench at 2:30 pm. However, the courtroom was overcrowded with lawyers even before the judge arrived. The judge gave five minutes to clear the court, asking unrelated lawyers to leave. Instead, arguments turned into a scuffle, pushing, and shouting among lawyers. Frustrated, Justice Ghosh adjourned the hearing to 14 January and walked out of the courtroom.
What lies ahead?
This entire episode is unfolding just months before the crucial 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, where TMC and BJP are expected to lock horns fiercely. Suvendu Adhikari’s legal notice is clearly aimed at putting pressure on Mamata both politically and legally. If she fails to provide evidence within 72 hours, the defamation suit could escalate the controversy significantly.
On the other hand, Mamata continues to portray central agencies as “BJP agents” and is appealing to the people of Bengal to continue the “struggle”.