ED Raids I-PAC’s Kolkata Office in Multi-Crore Coal Smuggling Probe

08 Jan 2026, 09:57 by Vinay Kakkad · KalingaTV

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its investigation into West Bengal’s long-standing coal smuggling case on Thursday morning, conducting simultaneous raids at the headquarters of the political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain.

The operation, which began around 7:00 AM, saw teams of federal investigators arrive at the consultancy’s Sector V office in Salt Lake, supported by central paramilitary forces. Parallel searches were carried out at Jain’s residence on Loudon Street and several other locations across the city, including a trader’s office in the Burrabazar area.

The Investigation: Coal and Cash Trails

The federal agency’s actions are reportedly linked to an ongoing money-laundering probe originating from a 2020 CBI case. The investigation centers on the illegal extraction and pilferage of coal from mines operated by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in the Kunustoria and Kajora areas of the state.

According to agency sources, the current searches were prompted by “specific evidence” concerning financial transactions and alleged “hawala” channels. Investigators are looking into whether proceeds from the illegal coal trade were diverted through various entities to fund broader organizational activities. During the raids, officials were seen inspecting digital records, hard disks, and internal financial ledgers.

Inside I-PAC: The “War Room” Under Scrutiny

For those unfamiliar with the firm’s role, I-PAC—the Indian Political Action Committee—functions as a high-tech bridge between data science and traditional politics.

The Blueprint: Established over a decade ago, the firm pioneered the use of professional consultancy in Indian elections, deploying thousands of ground volunteers and data analysts.
The Kolkata Connection: Since 2019, I-PAC has been the primary strategic partner for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). It is credited with designing massive outreach programs and managing the digital “war rooms” that powered the party’s recent electoral victories.
Leadership: The current head, Pratik Jain—an IIT-Bombay alumnus—also oversees the state’s IT infrastructure, making him a central figure in both the consultancy and the ruling party’s administrative machinery.

Political Tensions Erupt

The presence of federal investigators at such a sensitive hub quickly triggered a standoff. State authorities arrived at the scene shortly after the raids began, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally visiting Pratik Jain’s residence while the ED team was still present.

The state leadership has criticized the timing and nature of the searches, suggesting that the investigation is a pretext to gain access to internal party data, candidate lists, and strategic electoral documents ahead of upcoming polls. The ED, however, maintains that the operation is strictly based on the merits of the financial probe and is focused on tracing the “proceeds of crime” linked to the coal syndicate.

Current Status

As the searches continued into the afternoon, entry and exit points at the I-PAC office remained restricted. While no arrests have been announced, the seizure of digital peripherals and documents indicates that the agency is preparing for a deeper analysis of the firm’s financial ties.