In a major setback to the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government and the Kolkata Police, the Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the FIRs registered against officers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with searches conducted at the premises of political consultancy firm I-PAC.

A Bench comprising Justice Prashant Mishra and Justice Vipul Pancholi issued notices to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Personnel and Training, along with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress government, seeking their responses to the ED’s plea. The central agency has sought the suspension of senior state police officials, including West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar and Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma.

The top court has also sought replies on the ED’s request for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.

Observing that the petition raises serious concerns, the Supreme Court said it was prima facie of the view that the case involves significant issues relating to the conduct of investigations and alleged interference by state authorities.