ED Investigation Into I-PAC Ignites Political Firestorm in West Bengal
An ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe targeting political consultancy firm I-PAC has rapidly escalated into a significant political flashpoint in election-bound West Bengal. The investigation has positioned itself at the epicenter of a fierce confrontation between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP-led central government.
What originated as a money-laundering investigation has now broadened into a wider political battle, featuring dramatic raids, multiple arrests, official summons, and the now-infamous "green file" incident that has captured national attention.
From ED Raids to Political Confrontation
The ED conducted coordinated searches at multiple locations across Kolkata and Delhi as part of its investigation into alleged financial irregularities connected to I-PAC. According to agency officials, the operation transformed into a political flashpoint when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally intervened during the ongoing investigation.
The ED maintains that Banerjee allegedly removed crucial evidence during the proceedings. Agency representatives have emphasized that their actions constitute a routine, evidence-based investigation rather than a politically motivated operation. They specifically noted that no political party offices were searched and that the probe remains unrelated to electoral processes.
In sharp contrast, the TMC has launched a vigorous counterattack, accusing central investigative agencies of deliberately targeting the party ahead of crucial elections and transforming what should be a financial investigation into a political confrontation.
The Dramatic 'Green File' Episode
The situation reached its dramatic peak when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the residence of I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain during the ED raid. According to agency claims, Banerjee, accompanied by aides and police personnel, "forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidence" before proceeding to the I-PAC office in Salt Lake, where similar actions allegedly occurred.
Visuals of the Chief Minister carrying what became known as the "green file" sparked nationwide debate and controversy. The ED contends that her actions constituted obstruction of proceedings conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), while the TMC defended her intervention, asserting that the raids were primarily aimed at accessing sensitive political material rather than investigating financial irregularities.
Banerjee made serious allegations against central agencies, claiming they seized sensitive party materials including hard disks, candidate lists, and strategic documents. She directly accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of misusing investigative bodies for political purposes.
"Is it the duty of the ED or Amit Shah to take away a party's hard disks and candidate list? The home minister, who cannot protect the country, is taking away all my party documents," Banerjee declared during a press interaction.
Issuing a direct political challenge, the Chief Minister dared BJP leadership to confront her democratically. "If Amit Shah wants Bengal, then come and fight democratically and win. People should know what kind of operation was carried out. At 6:00 am they arrived and seized party data, laptops, strategies and mobile phones. Their forensic experts copied all the data. I believe this is a crime," she asserted.
BJP Launches Counterattack
BJP leaders have launched a sharp offensive against Mamata Banerjee regarding the I-PAC controversy, accusing her of interfering with the ED investigation and shielding potential wrongdoing.
BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal alleged that the Chief Minister was "siding with the mafias" and described I-PAC as "a very controversial company." He claimed, "When a raid takes place, the chief minister herself goes there and steals the documents... I-PAC's job is to work with mafias, taking money from them to form and topple governments." He further demanded that the ED register a formal FIR against Mamata Banerjee.
Echoing similar allegations, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra stated that Banerjee "obstructed official work" during the ED operation. "Perhaps for the first time in India, a chief minister entered during a raid and attempted to remove evidence," he alleged, adding that her actions "show that she has a lot to hide."
Coal Scam and Hawala Connections
The investigation traces its origins to a 2020 CBI case concerning an alleged coal smuggling syndicate led by Anup Majhi alias Lala, involving illegal mining operations in parts of West Bengal. The ED alleges that proceeds from this illicit operation were channeled through hawala networks to Indian PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd, the registered corporate entity of I-PAC.
Agency officials maintain that the raids specifically targeted individuals who generated proceeds from coal smuggling activities and that I-PAC represents one of several entities allegedly connected to hawala money transactions. Investigators claim that a hawala operator facilitated transactions worth tens of crores of rupees to the political consultancy firm.
Arrests and Expanding Investigation
The case intensified significantly in April when the ED arrested I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel in connection with the money-laundering probe. He was produced before a Delhi court, which recorded that the agency complied with all statutory requirements under the PMLA and provided relevant documents along with grounds for arrest.
The investigation has continued to expand its scope, with director Rishi Raj Singh summoned for questioning and repeated scrutiny of co-founder Pratik Jain. The ED has also summoned Jain's wife and brother, stating that their business connections remain under active examination.
From Poll Strategist to Political Flashpoint
Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor founded I-PAC, which emerged as a major political consultancy working with multiple parties across India. The firm has maintained particularly close associations with the TMC in West Bengal and played a crucial role in election strategy development.
Although founder Prashant Kishor exited I-PAC following the West Bengal elections in 2021 and subsequently launched his own political outfit, Jan Suraaj, the firm continues to maintain active operations in key electoral states including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Election Timing and Political Stakes
The timing of the raids and arrests, occurring ahead of crucial elections, has dramatically intensified the political battle. The TMC has framed the investigation as a deliberate attempt to disrupt its campaign machinery, while the BJP has utilized the probe to question the ruling party's transparency and governance standards.
Mamata Banerjee further escalated the confrontation by leading a protest rally in Kolkata against the ED's actions, underscoring how central this issue has become in the state's evolving political narrative.
Beyond I-PAC: A Larger Political Battle
The controversy has transcended its origins as a financial probe, evolving into a broader political conflict encompassing allegations of corruption, claims of political vendetta, and escalating tensions between state and central governments.
With raids, arrests, and the "green file" episode dominating headlines, I-PAC has transformed into a key flashpoint in West Bengal politics—one that appears likely to significantly shape political narratives and influence voter perceptions in the crucial period leading up to elections.
