ED Conducts Raids Linked to West Bengal Coal Smuggling Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed fresh raids on Thursday (April 2) at various locations associated with the political consulting firm I-PAC in connection with the West Bengal coal smuggling case. According to officials, these searches were part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged coal smuggling and theft scandal in West Bengal, with operations taking place in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi. Multiple premises linked to I-PAC were simultaneously searched, including the residence of Rishi Raj Singh in Bengaluru, which was also targeted during the operation. It is noteworthy that I-PAC provides political consulting services to the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and manages the party's IT and media operations.

Earlier in January, the central investigative agency had conducted searches at I-PAC's Kolkata office and the premises of its director, Pratik Jain, as part of a money laundering investigation linked to the alleged multi-crore coal scam. This action sparked significant political controversy after several leaders from the Trinamool Congress, including Mamata Banerjee, entered the I-PAC office located in Salt Lake during the searches. The ED later alleged that Banerjee had removed crucial evidence, including documents and electronic devices, from the premises. Banerjee vehemently denied these allegations, accusing the central agency of overstepping its jurisdiction.

Following these events, the ED filed a petition in the High Court and subsequently in the Supreme Court of India, citing alleged interference by the state government and the need for an impartial investigation, requesting an independent inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agency also claimed that approximately ₹10 crore obtained from the crime was funneled to I-PAC through hawala channels, and it was reported that the firm received payments from the All India Trinamool Congress for its role in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections.