ED Arrests I-PAC Co-Founder Ahead of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026
Significant Arrest by ED Before 2026 Elections
In a major development just ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken decisive action by apprehending Vinayesh Chandel, co-founder and director of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), which is instrumental in shaping the electoral strategies for the Trinamool Congress (TMC). This arrest, executed on Monday, April 13, in Delhi, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Bengal. Chandel faces serious allegations of involvement in money laundering linked to the infamous coal scam in the state.
This arrest is expected to significantly impact TMC's campaign efforts as the election atmosphere intensifies. Chandel has been detained under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This action comes at a critical time when preparations for the two phases of voting on April 23 and April 29 are in their final stages.
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Reasons Behind the Arrest
The ED's investigation revealed that funds from coal smuggling operations in the Asansol region, linked to Eastern Coalfields Limited, were funneled illegally to I-PAC. The agency alleges that approximately ₹20 crore of illicit earnings were routed through hawala operators and a Mumbai-based 'angadia' firm into I-PAC's accounts. This case is rooted in an FIR filed by the CBI in 2020, which now appears to connect to political strategists.
Chandel's arrest was not unexpected, as the ED has been monitoring this syndicate for some time. Earlier this year, on January 8, a raid was conducted at the I-PAC office in Kolkata, prompting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to visit the site, which sparked significant administrative controversy. Following this, on April 2, multiple locations in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai were also raided. Now, with Chandel's arrest, the ED aims to uncover whether the embezzled funds were utilized in election campaigning.
Updates are ongoing...