The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is intensifying its investigation into the operations of political consultancy firm I-PAC, with indications that the agency is keen to question I-PAC chief Pratik Jain soon. This move comes amidst allegations of money laundering and obstruction of justice, further escalating tensions between the central agency and the West Bengal government.

The ED's investigation is linked to a coal smuggling case where Anup Majee is accused of illegally excavating coal from Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) areas and selling it to factories in West Bengal. I-PAC is under scrutiny for suspected laundering of unaccounted cash, with the ED having already questioned several hawala dealers and recorded their statements.

The ED's pursuit of evidence has faced resistance, with the agency alleging that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and state officials interfered with their search operation at I-PAC's premises on January 8. The ED claims to possess video evidence of Banerjee and her aides removing documents and digital devices from the premises during the search. This has led to the ED seeking to add the Union Home Ministry and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) as parties in its plea before the Supreme Court, alleging interference and obstruction by the West Bengal government. The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the issue of alleged obstruction by the Chief Minister.

The ED has also filed a criminal writ petition before the Supreme Court, demanding action against those who obstructed the January 8 search operation. The petition names Banerjee, the state DGP Rajeev Kumar, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma, and DCP South Kolkata Priyabrata Roy as respondents. The Supreme Court has issued notices to these officials.

I-PAC, which played a crucial role in shaping the Trinamool Congress' (TMC) electoral strategy in the 2021 Assembly election and subsequent polls in West Bengal, has found itself at the center of this controversy. Following the January 8 raids, I-PAC issued a statement asserting its cooperation with the ED. However, the TMC has strongly criticized the ED's actions, alleging that central agencies are being misused to target political opponents and undermine I-PAC's role in shaping electoral strategies. The Calcutta High Court recently dismissed a petition filed by the TMC that accused the ED of seizing confidential party files and data during the raids.

The ED's Director, Rahul Naveen, recently visited Kolkata to review the investigation and meet with the team involved in the searches. The agency is reportedly seeking a CBI probe against Chief Minister Banerjee and the return of documents allegedly taken by her. The Supreme Court has stayed FIRs filed in West Bengal against ED officials and directed the state police to protect CCTV footage of the raids. The next hearing in the Supreme Court is scheduled for the first week of February.