NEW DELHI: An Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into political consultancy firm I-PAC has snowballed into a major political flashpoint in poll-bound West Bengal, placing it at the centre of a fierce battle between Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress and the BJP-led Centre. What began as a money-laundering investigation has now expanded into a wider confrontation involving raids, arrests, summons and the “green file” episode.
From ED raids to political confrontation
The ED raid turned into a political flashpoint when chief minster Mamata Banerjee stepped into the ongoing investigation and allegedly intervened in the proceedings by removing key evidence, according to the agency.
The ED had carried out searches at multiple locations, including Kolkata and Delhi, as part of a probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to I-PAC.The agency has maintained that the action is part of a routine investigation and not politically motivated, saying that the search is evidence-based and not targeted at any political establishment, that no party office has been searched, and that it is not linked to any elections.The TMC, however, has strongly pushed back, accusing central agencies of targeting the party ahead of elections and turning the investigation into a political confrontation.
The ‘green file’ flashpoint
The dramatic intervention by Mamata came, when she arrived at the residence of I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain during the ED raid.According to the agency, she, along with aides and police personnel, “forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidence” and later went to the I-PAC office in Salt Lake, where similar actions were alleged.Visuals of Mamata carrying what came to be known as the “green file” sparked a nationwide debate. The ED said her actions caused obstruction in proceedings conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), while the TMC defended her move, claiming the raids were aimed at accessing sensitive political material.However, Mamata alleged that central agencies seized sensitive party material, including hard disks, candidate lists and strategy documents, and accused Amit Shah of misusing investigative bodies.“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 said while speaking to reporters.Issuing a direct challenge, the CM dared the BJP leadership to take her on politically. “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 said.
BJP fires back
BJP leaders have launched a sharp attack on Mamata Banerjee over the I-PAC controversy, accusing her of interfering in the ED probe and shielding 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 “should register an FIR against Mamata Banerjee.”Echoing similar charges, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said 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 she “pushed everyone aside and collected physical and electronic evidence,” which, according to him, “shows that she has a lot to hide.”
Coal scam and hawala link
The investigation is rooted in a 2020 CBI case related to an alleged coal smuggling syndicate led by Anup Majhi alias Lala, involving illegal mining in parts of West Bengal. The ED alleges that proceeds from this operation were routed through hawala channels to Indian PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd, the registered entity of I-PAC.The agency said the raids were linked to individuals who generated proceeds from coal smuggling and alleged that I-PAC is one of the entities linked to hawala money. Investigators claim that a hawala operator facilitated transactions worth tens of crores of rupees to the firm.
Arrests and widening probe
The case intensified 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 statutory requirements under the PMLA and that relevant documents and grounds of arrest were provided.The probe has continued to expand, 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 links are under examination.
From poll strategist to political flashpoint
Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor founded the I-PAC, that emerged as major political consultancy working with multiple parties across India.It has been closely associated with the TMC in West Bengal and has played a key role in election strategy.Although founder Prashant Kishor exited from IPAC after West Bengal elections in 2021 and months after launched his own political outfit, Jan Suraaj, the firm continues to be active in key electoral states, including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Election timing and political stakes
The timing of the raids and arrests, ahead of crucial elections, has intensified the political battle. The TMC has framed the investigation as an attempt to disrupt its campaign machinery, while the BJP has used the probe to question the ruling party’s transparency.Mamata also led a protest rally in Kolkata against the ED action, underlining how central the issue has become in the state’s political narrative.
Beyond I-PAC: A larger political battle
The controversy has grown beyond a financial probe into a broader political conflict involving allegations of corruption, claims of political vendetta, and tensions between the state and the Centre.With raids, arrests and the “green file” episode dominating headlines, I-PAC has become a key flashpoint in West Bengal politics, one that is likely to shape narratives and voter perception in the run-up to elections.
