The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Calcutta High Court accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of interfering with an ongoing investigation during searches connected to political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). The central agency alleged that Banerjee removed electronic devices and documents from premises under search, an act it described as obstruction of a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court is expected to hear the matter shortly.

According to the ED, the Chief Minister left the residence of Pratik Jain—senior I-PAC functionary and head of the Trinamool Congress’s IT operations—carrying a laptop, a mobile phone and several documents while searches were underway. The agency has claimed that Banerjee’s actions amounted to shielding individuals allegedly connected to coal smuggling and laundering of illicit funds.

The Trinamool Congress, meanwhile, has filed its own petition against the ED, accusing the agency of acting at the behest of the BJP to target political opponents. Banerjee has repeatedly maintained that the searches were politically motivated and aimed at derailing her party ahead of elections. The ED has rejected these claims, stating that the searches were based on evidence and had no connection to electoral politics.

In a formal statement, the agency clarified that no political party office was searched and that the operation was part of a routine investigation into financial crimes. It added that all procedures were carried out within the framework of law and established safeguards.

Separately, Pratik Jain’s family has lodged a police complaint accusing ED officials of taking away important personal documents during the raid, according to local police sources.

What Is I-PAC?

Indian Political Action Committee is a political consulting organisation founded by strategist Prashant Kishor. Though Kishor has since stepped away to pursue active politics through his Jan Suraaj Party, I-PAC continues to advise multiple political outfits. In West Bengal, it has worked closely with the Trinamool Congress since the 2021 Assembly elections, managing campaign strategy, data analytics, and the party’s digital and media operations under a contract reportedly extended till 2026.

How the Raid Unfolded

ED teams reached Jain’s residence early in the morning as part of coordinated searches across multiple locations in West Bengal and Delhi. State police personnel and senior officials later arrived, followed by Mamata Banerjee herself.

The agency alleged that the searches proceeded smoothly until the Chief Minister and accompanying officials intervened. According to the ED, documents and electronic material were forcibly removed first from Jain’s residence and later from I-PAC’s Salt Lake office, disrupting the investigation.

The ED said the searches are linked to an alleged coal smuggling network operating in Eastern Coalfields Limited areas, where illegally mined coal was sold to industries across several districts. The probe has also flagged an alleged hawala channel used to route proceeds of crime, with investigators claiming that funds were transferred to entities including I-PAC.

Mamata Banerjee’s Response

Addressing the media, Banerjee accused the ED of confiscating sensitive party data, including election-related material, financial records and digital devices. She called the action an attack on democracy and questioned the agency’s authority to access political strategy documents.

The Chief Minister said she went to Jain’s residence after being unable to contact him and alleged that the central government was using investigative agencies to intimidate the opposition. She also challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to contest elections fairly instead of relying on agencies, accusing the BJP of undermining democratic norms.

Political Reactions Intensify

The episode has triggered a fresh political slugfest. BJP leaders accused Banerjee of placing herself above the law by intervening in a federal investigation. Opposition parties, including the Congress and Samajwadi Party, countered by accusing the BJP of weaponising central agencies to silence rivals, especially in states where it faces electoral setbacks.

As legal proceedings loom, the clash has added another layer of tension to the already strained relationship between the Bengal government and the Centre, with the outcome likely to have political as well as legal ramifications.