The BRICS TimesTMC MPs Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra were among eight leaders held by Delhi Police. They were protesting the alleged misuse of the ED against their party.
On Friday, January 9, 2026, Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmakers staged a protest outside the Ministry of Home Affairs. They accused the central government of using investigative agencies as political tools. Delhi Police quickly moved in and detained the group. Leaders claimed they were forcibly removed from the protest site. This action followed ED raids on the I-PAC office and its chief’s home just a day earlier.
A police official confirmed that Derek O’Brien, Mahua Moitra, and others were taken to Parliament Street police station. “They will be released shortly,” the official stated. Authorities noted that protests are prohibited near the Home Ministry due to security rules. Carrying placards against the ED, eight TMC MPs tried to enter Kartavya Bhavan. The Home Ministry office is now located within this building.
MPs Blocked from Entering the Building
Police stopped the lawmakers from entering the premises. This led the MPs to start a sit-in protest at the main gate. Shortly after, Delhi Police forcibly cleared the area. The group included MPs Derek O’Brien, Satabdi Roy, Mahua Moitra, and Bapi Haldar. Saket Gokhale, Pratima Mondal, Kirti Azad, and Sharmila Sarkar were also detained. TMC leaders shared photos of the police action and slammed the central government.
TMC Slams Central Government
The TMC issued a sharp statement against the Home Minister. “Amit Shah, what kind of arrogance is this? Are you now using Delhi Police to attack elected officials to crush democracy? Is this how dissent is silenced in your India?” the party asked. They further added, “You are clearly nervous! First, the shameless misuse of ED. Now, an attack on our eight MPs’ peaceful sit-in. This desperation reveals your fear. You may try to choke democracy, but Bengal will not be intimidated. Shame on you and your police!”
Mamata Banerjee Calls Raids Political Vendetta
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had criticized the ED on Thursday, January 8, 2026. She accused the agency of trying to seize election strategies during raids on I-PAC chief Pratik Jain. Banerjee termed these searches a clear case of “political vendetta.” She alleged that central agencies are being misused to threaten opposition parties before elections.
