Kolkata, Jan 9, 2026: The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) Thursday raids at the offices of political consultancy I-PACand its director Pratik Jain’s residence in Kolkata have sparked a full-blown political confrontation in poll-bound West Bengal. The searches, linked to an ongoing investigation into an illegal coal mining and hawala money-laundering network, quickly became a flashpoint between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee accused the ED of attempting to access sensitive election strategy and candidate information ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls, claiming that the agency had seized documents and electronic devices containing party strategy and voter outreach plans. Banerjee personally intervened at both Jain’s residence and I-PAC’s Salt Lake office, accompanied by senior police officials, removing files and devices from the premises.

The ED countered, asserting that Banerjee’s actions obstructed a lawful investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), stating that the searches were evidence-based and unrelated to upcoming elections. According to the agency, the probe traces back to a Central Bureau of Investigation FIR from November 2020 into illegal coal mining in Eastern Coalfields Ltd’s Kunustoria and Kajora mines. The investigation revealed that coal illegally extracted by the syndicate was sold across multiple districts, with proceeds allegedly channeled to I-PAC through hawala operators.

ED officials, accompanied by paramilitary personnel, conducted searches at approximately 10 locations in West Bengal and Delhi, including I-PAC’s office and Jain’s residence. The agency claimed that a single hawala operator facilitated transactions worth tens of crores to I-PAC, linking the consultancy to illicit proceeds.

Political Fallout

• TMC Response: Banerjee decried the ED’s actions as politically motivated, accusing it of attempting to cripple her party ahead of elections. She warned that the seizure of strategy documents would hinder TMC’s voter outreach and claimed that the agency treated the party unfairly compared to the BJP. TMC workers staged protests across Kolkata, and the party announced a rally for Friday. Banerjee also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that flawed voter deletions were disenfranchising supporters.
• BJP Reaction: West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya condemned Banerjee’s intervention, alleging that she violated constitutional norms by interfering in a federal investigation. He accused her of shielding corrupt practices in the state and undermining the judiciary and central agencies.
• Other Parties: CPI(M) and Congress leaders criticized Banerjee for overstepping her authority as Chief Minister.

Legal Developments

Both sides have approached the Calcutta High Court, which will hear their petitions on Friday. ED sought court intervention, citing obstruction of its lawful proceedings, while Jain’s family challenged the agency’s actions as exceeding its jurisdiction.

Background of the Coal Mining Probe

The investigation revealed that:

• Coal smuggling from ECL leasehold areas was systematically conducted by syndicates led by accused Anup Majee.
• The illicit coal was sold across Bankura, Bardhaman, Purulia, and other districts.
• Hawala operators facilitated the transfer of proceeds, some of which allegedly reached I-PAC.
• The total value of proceeds under investigation is estimated at ₹1,352 crore.

The ED maintained that the search was strictly evidence-based and not targeted at any political party, emphasizing that it aimed to trace the flow of illicit funds.

Election Context

West Bengal is scheduled for assembly elections in April-May 2026, intensifying scrutiny on political manoeuvres. I-PAC, a consultancy advising TMC, previously played a role in the 2021 elections. The ED and TMC’s conflicting narratives now form a major pre-election flashpoint, highlighting tensions between state leadership and central investigative agencies.

The standoff reflects the intersection of money-laundering investigations, political strategy, and electoral administration, raising questions about the use of federal agencies in politically sensitive periods.