Bengaluru/New Delhi, April 2 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed a series of raids on Thursday at numerous sites connected to I-PAC, the consultancy led by Prashant Kishor, as part of its investigation into the Bengal coal smuggling scandal.

These operations spanned several cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Currently, Kishor is providing strategic assistance to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the pivotal Assembly elections.

Officials have confirmed that this operation is being conducted across India. ED teams, in collaboration with local law enforcement, arrived at the I-PAC offices early in the morning to initiate search and seizure actions.

Previously, the ED had conducted raids on I-PAC offices in West Bengal, which led to a dramatic moment when Chief Minister Banerjee was photographed leaving the premises with documents in front of the media.

The ED has raised alarms over the alleged hindrance to its operations, prompting the agency to approach the High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court of India for an impartial investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This was due to claims of interference by the state government, necessitating an unbiased inquiry. However, Banerjee has refuted these allegations, arguing that the central agency has overstepped its jurisdiction.

As part of its ongoing investigation into the coal scandal, the ED has recently conducted additional raids, as confirmed by officials.

Details surrounding these raids are still pending, as the ED has not released an official statement. However, officials indicated that they possess evidence pertaining to money laundering linked to the scandal.

Preliminary reports suggest that the residence of an individual associated with I-PAC in Bengaluru was also searched.

Allegations state that approximately Rs 10 crore in illicit funds were funneled to I-PAC via hawala networks, with the firm reportedly receiving payments from the All India Trinamool Congress for its involvement in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections.

Further information is anticipated.

The West Bengal coal smuggling investigation, which commenced in 2020, involves the illegal extraction and theft of coal from areas leased by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), with losses estimated to be in the hundreds of crores. The syndicate, led by prime suspect Anup Majhi (Lala), includes ECL officials, CISF personnel, and has implicated multiple political figures and consultancies.

Majhi surrendered in 2024 to the Special CBI court in Asanol, resulting in several arrests of officials and personnel. The ED's investigation has indicated connections between the funds and the political consultancy I-PAC.

The ED has accused the West Bengal government of obstructing its inquiries, resulting in legal disputes and heightened tensions between federal and state authorities.