Mamata Banerjee visits I-PAC chief Pratik Jain’s home and office during ED raids in Kolkata

The Hindu
The Hindu
3h ago
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain’s residence and the firm’s office during ED searches, alleging the agency seized TMC internal data while the ED accused her of removing evidence and obstructing its probe.
Mamata Banerjee visits I-PAC chief Pratik Jain’s home and office during ED raids in Kolkata
A What happened
Mamata Banerjee visited Pratik Jain’s south Kolkata residence and I-PAC’s Salt Lake office on January 8, 2026 while the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids, and the ED accused her and her aides of forcibly removing documents and electronic devices from both locations. Banerjee alleged the raids were politically motivated and said the ED took crucial TMC data, including strategy documents and candidate lists. The ED said the searches were connected to a coal smuggling syndicate and entities linked to hawala money, and it approached the Calcutta High Court alleging obstruction under the PMLA. Two FIRs were registered against ED officials in Kolkata, including one complaint by Jain’s wife alleging important documents were stolen during the search.
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Key insights

  • 1

    ED alleges obstruction and seeks court intervention: The ED said Mamata Banerjee’s actions during the searches obstructed its investigation under the PMLA and it petitioned the Calcutta High Court for judicial intervention.

  • 2

    Banerjee alleges political motive and seizure of party data: Banerjee said the raids were politically motivated and claimed the ED took TMC strategy documents and candidate list data.

  • 3

    Police action taken against ED officials: Two FIRs were registered against ED officials in Kolkata, including one alleging the ED did not inform local police and another alleging documents were stolen during the search.

Takeaways

The ED and Mamata Banerjee made opposing claims over what occurred during the I-PAC searches in Kolkata, and the ED has moved the Calcutta High Court while police in Kolkata registered FIRs against ED officials.

Topics

World & Politics Governance Investigations Law & Public Safety Crime & Justice Courts

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