Kolkata witnessed dramatic scenes as the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raids at the residence of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain and the consultancy’s Salt Lake office escalated into a political storm. The searches, linked to the Bengal coal mining scam, were reportedly peaceful until Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived with a convoy of police officers.
According to the ED, Banerjee forcibly removed files and electronic devices, obstructing the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Visuals showed her leaving Jain’s residence with a green file, while she accused the agency of attempting to “steal data” related to Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) election strategy for 2026.
The controversy has now reached the Calcutta High Court, with petitions filed by the ED, I-PAC, and the TMC. The ruling party argued that the seized materials were strictly internal election documents—campaign strategies, research inputs, and electoral roll data—unrelated to the coal scam probe. TMC alleged the ED’s actions were politically motivated and aimed at disrupting free and fair elections.
Meanwhile, the ED maintained that proceeds of crime worth Rs 10 crore were funnelled to I-PAC through hawala channels, allegedly paid by coal smuggling kingpin Anup Majhi’s syndicate. The agency claims these funds were used to finance TMC’s campaign in Goa in 2022.
Banerjee staged a sit-in protest at I-PAC’s office before leaving in the evening, while the TMC announced a mega protest march on Friday.
The unfolding drama has intensified political tempers just months ahead of the Bengal elections, setting the stage for a fierce legal and electoral battle.
