Raids, arrests & green file: Why I-PAC is in political crosshairs in Mamata’s West Bengal | India News
New Delhi: Ann Enforcement Directorate (ED) An investigation by political consultancy firm I-PAC has snowballed into a major political flashpoint in poll-bound West Bengal, putting it at the center of a fierce midterm battle. Mamata BanerjeeCenter led by Trinamool Congress and BJP. What began as a money-laundering investigation has now expanded into a sprawling confrontation involving raids, arrests, summonses and the “green file” episode.
From ED raids to political conflicts
The ED operation became a political flashpoint when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stepped in on the ongoing probe and allegedly interfered in the process by deleting key evidence, according to the agency.The ED conducted searches at multiple locations, including Kolkata and Delhi, as part of its probe into alleged financial irregularities involving I-PAC.The agency maintained that the move was part of a routine investigation and not politically motivated, saying the search was evidence-based and did not target any political institution, no party office was searched and it was not linked to any election.The TMC, however, has strongly pushed back, accusing central agencies of targeting the party ahead of elections and turning the probe into a political tussle.
‘Green File’ Flashpoint
Mamata’s dramatic intervention came when she reached the residence of I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain during the ED raid.According to the agency, he, along with assistants and police personnel, “forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidence” and later went to the i-Pac office in Salt Lake, where similar activities were alleged.Scenes of Mamata being carried, known as the “green file”, have sparked nationwide controversy. The ED said its actions hampered operations conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), while the TMC defended its move, claiming the raids were aimed at accessing sensitive political material.However, Mamata alleged that central agencies had seized sensitive party materials including hard disks, candidate lists and strategy documents and accused Amit Shah of misusing the investigative agency.“Is it the responsibility of the ED or Amit Shah to take away a party’s hard disk and candidate list? The home minister, who cannot protect the country, is taking away all the documents of my party,” Banerjee said while talking to reporters.By issuing a direct challenge, the Chief Minister dared the BJP leadership to take him on politically. “If Amit Shah wants Bengal, then come and fight democratically and win. People should know what kind of operation was done. They came around 6 am and seized party information, laptops, tactics and mobile phones. Their forensic experts copied all the information. I believe it is a crime,” he said.
BJP fired back
BJP leaders have launched a scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee over the I-PAC controversy, accusing her of interfering in the ED probe and shielding injustice.BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal alleged that the chief minister was “on the side of the mafia” and described I-Pac as a “very controversial company”. He claimed, “When raids are carried out, the chief minister himself goes there and steals documents… I-PAC’s job is to work with mafias, take money from them and form the government.” He also demanded that the ED “should register an FIR against Mamata Banerjee.”Echoing similar allegations, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Banerjee “obstructed official work” during the ED operation. “Perhaps for the first time in India, a chief minister went in during a raid and tried to delete evidence,” he alleged, adding that he “pushed everyone aside and collected physical and electronic evidence,” which, he said, “showed he had a lot to hide.”
Coal scam and Hawala link
The investigation is rooted in a 2020 CBI case related to a coal smuggling syndicate led by Anup Majhi alias Lala, involved in illegal mining in parts of West Bengal. The ED alleged that proceeds from this operation were channeled through hawala channels to the registered entity of Indian PAC Consulting Private Limited, I-PAC.The agency said the raids were linked to individuals who generated income from coal smuggling and alleged that I-PAC was one of the organizations linked to hawala money. Investigators claimed that a hawala operator helped the company make transactions worth crores of rupees.
Arrest and extension of investigation
The case intensified in April when the ED arrested I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel in a money-laundering probe. He was produced in a court in Delhi, where it was recorded that the agency complied with the statutory requirements under PMLA and the relevant documents and grounds for arrest were provided.The probe is set to widen with director Rishi Raj Singh being summoned for questioning and co-founder Prateek Jain being repeatedly scrutinised. The ED has also summoned Jain’s wife and brother, saying their business links are being probed.
From poll strategists to political flashpoints
Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor founded I-PAC, which emerged as the premier political consultancy working with multiple parties across India.It is closely associated with the TMC in West Bengal and has played an important role in the electoral strategy.Although founder Prashant Kishore quit IPAC after the 2021 West Bengal elections and months after launching his own political party, Jan Suraj, the organization remains active in key electoral states including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Election time and political parties
The raids and arrests have intensified the political struggle ahead of crucial elections. The TMC framed the probe as an attempt to disrupt its campaign machinery, while the BJP used the probe to question the ruling party’s transparency.Mamata also led a protest rally in Kolkata against the ED action, indicating how the issue has become central to the state’s political narrative.
Beyond the i-pack: a larger political battle
The controversy has grown out of a financial probe into a wider 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 making headlines, the I-PAC has become a key flashpoint in West Bengal politics, likely to shape the narrative and voter perception in the run-up to elections.
