The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday (April 2) carried out a fresh round of searches at multiple locations connected to political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged West Bengal coal smuggling and pilferage case.
According to officials, the coordinated raids were conducted across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi, targeting premises believed to be linked to the firm and individuals associated with it. Among the locations searched was the Bengaluru residence of Rishi Raj Singh, marking a continuation of the agency’s widening probe into financial transactions tied to the alleged scam.
The ED suspects that proceeds of crime generated through illegal coal mining and smuggling in West Bengal may have been diverted through various channels, including alleged hawala routes. Officials claim that certain funds eventually reached I-PAC, which provides political consultancy services to the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), including managing its IT and media operations.
Earlier Raids and Political Flashpoint
The latest action follows similar searches conducted in January, when the ED had raided I-PAC’s Kolkata office as well as premises linked to its director Pratik Jain. That operation quickly escalated into a political flashpoint after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by several TMC leaders, entered the Salt Lake office during the searches.
The ED later alleged that Banerjee removed key documents and electronic devices from the premises during the raid—claims that were strongly denied by the Chief Minister. Banerjee, in turn, accused the central agency of exceeding its mandate and targeting her party for political reasons.
Legal Battle and Allegations of Fund Diversion
Following the controversy, the ED approached the Calcutta High Court and later the Supreme Court of India, seeking a court-monitored probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agency argued that alleged interference by state authorities necessitated an independent and neutral investigation.
As part of its findings so far, the ED has claimed that nearly ₹10 crore in suspected proceeds of crime were routed to I-PAC through hawala channels. The funds were allegedly linked to payments made by the TMC to the consultancy firm for its services during the 2022 Goa Assembly elections.
Probe Continues
The latest raids signal that the ED is intensifying its scrutiny of financial trails connected to the alleged coal smuggling network. Officials indicated that further searches and questioning may follow as investigators seek to establish the extent of the alleged money laundering and the involvement of various entities.
The case continues to carry significant political ramifications, with both the central agency and the ruling party in West Bengal locked in a sharp confrontation over the allegations and the conduct of the investigation.
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