KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations in Kolkata on Thursday, targeting the political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its chief, Prateek Jain. The primary raid took place at the I-PAC office located in Salt Lake Sector V. These actions are part of a broader money laundering investigation, according to multiple reports.
Sources cited in media reports suggest the probe is connected to a coal smuggling case, which the central agency has been investigating. Officials from a special unit of the ED were involved in the searches, which aimed to gather evidence related to the allegations. The raids created a significant stir in the city's political circles, given I-PAC's advisory role to several political parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal.
The situation escalated when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at Prateek Jain's residence while the raid was underway. Her presence drew immediate media attention and led to high drama at the location. The Chief Minister strongly condemned the ED's actions, framing them as a politically motivated attack.
Ms. Banerjee accused the central agency of attempting to seize documents belonging to the Trinamool Congress. "What will be the result if I raid the BJP party office?" she was quoted as saying, questioning the impartiality of the raid. Her direct intervention and critical statements have intensified the political confrontation between the state government and the central authorities. The incident was widely covered, with social media platforms showing images and videos of the unfolding events.
This development adds another layer to the ongoing friction between the TMC and the central government, with federal agencies frequently conducting investigations into various alleged scams and financial irregularities within the state. The raid on a prominent political consultancy firm just adds to the political heat in West Bengal.