Trouble for Mamata? ED moves Calcutta HC over alleged obstruction during I-PAC raids

Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday moved the Calcutta High Court alleging illegal interference and obstruction during its search operations in West Bengal.

The central agency has filed a case citing hindrance to its investigation during raids conducted on Thursday. The matter is scheduled to be heard by Justice Suvra Ghosh on Friday.

Earlier in the day, the ED conducted searches at the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its director Pratik Jain as part of a money laundering probe linked to an alleged multi-crore coal pilferage scam, official sources said. The searches covered about 10 premises, including four in Delhi, beginning around 7 am, with central paramilitary forces present.

According to sources, the I-PAC office in Salt Lake and Jain’s residence on Loudon Street were among the locations searched.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached Jain’s residence amid the ED action, alleging that the central agency was attempting to seize the Trinamool Congress’ internal documents, hard disks and sensitive data related to its election strategy. She described the raids at the residence and offices of Jain, “the in-charge of my IT cell,” as politically motivated and unconstitutional.

Chowdhury said the incidents highlight the alleged misuse of investigative agencies for political ends, calling for impartial action in the matter.

However, in a detailed statement issued later, the ED alleged obstruction of its proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

“The CM’s convoy then proceeded to I-PAC’s office premises, from where Ms. Banerjee, her aides, and the state police personnel forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidences. The actions have resulted in obstruction in ongoing investigation and proceedings under the PMLA,” the ED said.

Explaining the basis of the searches, the ED stated, “During investigation, it was revealed that the coal smuggling syndicate led by Anup Majee used to steal and illegally excavate coal from ECL leasehold areas of West Bengal. Thereafter, this coal was sold at various factories/plants located in Bankura, Bardhaman, Purulia and other districts of West Bengal.”

The agency further said, “Investigation revealed that large part of this coal was sold to Shakambhari Group of companies. Investigation revealed link with Hawala operators as well. Multiple evidences including statements of various persons confirmed the hawala nexus. Investigation revealed that one hawala operator linked to layering of proceeds of crime of coal smuggling had facilitated transactions of Tens of Crores of Rupees to Indian Pac Consulting Private Limited.”

According to the ED, “The persons linked to the generation of coal smuggling proceeds, hawala operators. and handlers are covered in PMLA search on 08.01.2026. IPAC is also one of the entities linked to Hawala money.”

The ED also reiterated that the searches were not politically motivated.“It is clarified that the search is evidence-based and is not targeted at any political establishment. No party office has been searched. The search is not linked to any elections, and is part of regular crackdown on money laundering. The search is conducted strictly in accordance with established legal safeguards,” the agency said.