THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, April 2: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted fresh raids at multiple locations linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC in connection with the West Bengal coal smuggling case.
According to officials, searches were carried out simultaneously in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru as part of the agency’s ongoing probe into an alleged coal smuggling and pilferage scam in West Bengal.
Premises linked to I-PAC under scanner
Officials said several premises associated with I-PAC were searched during the operation. The Bengaluru residence of Rishi Raj Singh was also among the locations covered in the raids.
I-PAC is known for providing political consultancy services to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal and manages the party’s IT and media operations.
ALSO READ: SC slams West Bengal over attack on judges during SIR duty, orders CBI/NIA probe
Earlier raids triggered political controversy
In January, the ED had conducted searches at I-PAC’s Kolkata office and at the premises of its director, Pratik Jain, as part of the same money laundering investigation linked to the alleged multi-crore coal scam.
The action led to a major political controversy after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with several TMC leaders, entered the I-PAC office in Salt Lake during the searches.
The ED later alleged that Banerjee removed crucial evidence, including documents and electronic devices, from the premises.
Mamata Banerjee denies allegations
Mamata Banerjee strongly denied the allegations, accusing the central agency of overstepping its authority.
Following the incident, the ED approached the Calcutta High Court and later the Supreme Court, seeking an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agency cited alleged interference by the state government and the need for a neutral investigation.
Hawala route and ₹10 crore trail under probe
The ED has claimed that around ₹10 crore in alleged proceeds of crime were routed to I-PAC through hawala channels. The agency suspects that the firm received payments from the All India Trinamool Congress for its role in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections.
The investigation into the West Bengal coal smuggling case remains ongoing.