The offices of the prominent political consultancy firm, Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), were searched by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a significant development on Thursday. A day after the raids, the firm has issued a strong statement, declaring its resolve to continue operations undeterred.
I-PAC's Defiant Stance Post-ED Action
On Friday, I-PAC released an official statement addressing the previous day's events. The organization emphasized its commitment to professional integrity and stated it remains "fully committed" to its work. "Despite what transpired yesterday, we remain fully committed to continuing our work unfazed and unperturbed, with consistency and accountability guided by the same purpose that has shaped us from the start," the firm said. This clear message underscores their intention not to let the investigation disrupt their activities.
Details of the Enforcement Directorate Raid
The searches were conducted by the ED on Thursday at the Kolkata premises linked to I-PAC and its director, Pratik Jain. The action is part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. While the exact contours of the probe remain under wraps, such raids typically involve the seizure of documents and digital records for forensic examination.
Political Reactions and Allegations
The raid quickly drew a sharp political reaction. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that during the search at Pratik Jain's residence, ED officials attempted to seize materials belonging to her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC). She claimed they tried to take hard disks, internal documents, and sensitive organisational data of the TMC. This allegation adds a significant political dimension to the legal proceedings, suggesting the action may have wider implications beyond the consultancy firm.
The situation remains fluid, with further developments in the ED's investigation awaited. The firm's defiant response sets the stage for a closely watched legal and political narrative in the days to come.
