The Day Mamata Banerjee Confronted the IPAC Raids

Morning headlines were dominated by an aggressive shift in U.S. foreign policy as President Trump authorized 500% tariffs on countries, including India, that continue importing Russian oil. This economic threat coincided with the maritime seizure of the Russian tanker Bella 1, which editors noted carried three Indian crew members, escalating fears of a direct confrontation between Washington and Moscow. By midday, editorial focus shifted to a high-voltage domestic standoff in Kolkata. The Enforcement Directorate’s raids on the offices of political strategist firm I-PAC prompted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to personally intervene at the scene. Editors highlighted the dramatic confrontation as Banerjee was accused by federal agents of forcibly removing "green files" containing election strategies, leading to a legal battle in the Calcutta High Court. In the evening, the narrative balanced these tensions with regional reports on the death of environmentalist Madhav Gadgil and the postponement of actor Vijay’s final film amid censorship disputes.