The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched significant search operations on Thursday, targeting the offices of the political consultancy Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) in Kolkata. The action is part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged money laundering case linked to a coal scam.
Details of the Enforcement Directorate Raid
According to officials, the federal agency conducted searches at the Salt Lake office of I-PAC. The raid also extended to the premises of the organisation's founder and one of its directors, Pratik Gandhi. The operations were carried out on Thursday, 9 January 2026, as confirmed by agency sources.
The probe is connected to a suspected money laundering racket that emerged from an alleged coal mining scam. The ED is examining financial transactions and potential links in this high-profile case.
ED Seeks CBI Probe Against Top Officials
In a major development following the raids, the Enforcement Directorate has formally requested a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agency has sought an investigation against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and several senior police officials of the state.
This move escalates the legal and political implications of the case, bringing it directly to the doorstep of the state's highest executive authority. The ED's request indicates the seriousness with which it is pursuing the money laundering trail allegedly connected to the coal scam.
Political Repercussions and Next Steps
The raids and the subsequent call for a CBI investigation are expected to trigger significant political fallout in West Bengal. I-PAC has been a key strategic partner for Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress in past elections. The targeting of its offices and the direct mention of the Chief Minister mark a sharp intensification of the central agencies' actions in the state.
The case is likely to proceed on two parallel tracks: the ED's money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the potential CBI probe into the roles of the named individuals. Reactions from the state government and the political establishment are anticipated in the coming days.
