ED raids in Kolkata turn political as Mamata Banerjee reaches I-PAC chief’s home, alleges vendetta, announces protest, BJP hits back.
New Delhi: West Bengal politics heated up on Thursday after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suddenly visited the home of I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain and the organisation’s Salt Lake office while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was conducting raids in Kolkata.
The ED raids are linked to a money laundering case connected to the coal smuggling scam.
ED Starts Raids Early Morning
ED officials began searches early in the morning at several locations in Kolkata. These included Pratik Jain’s residence on Loudon Street and the I-PAC office in Salt Lake. According to ED sources, the raids were part of a larger operation across the country, covering 8 to 10 places.
Pratik Jain is one of the founders of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and also heads the Trinamool Congress (TMC) IT cell. I-PAC has been working with the TMC for more than 10 years, helping the party with election planning and campaigns.
The ED linked the raids to illegal coal mining and financial wrongdoing. Some media reports also suggested that the investigation may involve the fake job scam case.
Mamata Banerjee Questions ED Action
When Mamata Banerjee reached Pratik Jain’s house, the situation became tense. The Chief Minister accused ED officials of trying to take important TMC party documents, including candidate lists, booth-level data, and hard drives.
“They were taking my party’s documents,” Banerjee said, raising questions about why the agency needed such material.
She later visited the I-PAC office in Salt Lake and strongly criticised the central government. She called Union Home Minister Amit Shah ‘nasty’ and ‘naughty’ and accused the authorities of conducting the raids to trouble the TMC ahead of the elections.
“I challenge the BJP to fight us politically if they want to win Bengal,” she said, accusing the Centre of using agencies for political pressure instead of focusing on national security.
Police on Spot as Mamata Announces Protest
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma was present at Pratik Jain’s house to control the situation. Reports said there were arguments between state police and ED officers during the raids.
Mamata Banerjee announced that she would lead a protest march on January 9, saying the ED action was an attack on democracy and part of a political conspiracy.
ED Accuses Mamata of Removing Evidence
The ED later made serious allegations against the Chief Minister. The agency claimed that Mamata Banerjee entered the raid location and removed important evidence, including documents and electronic devices related to the coal scam investigation.
Following this, the ED approached the Calcutta High Court, asking for action against the Chief Minister for interfering in the investigation and tampering with evidence.
BJP Attacks Mamata Banerjee
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly reacted to the incident. West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari called Mamata Banerjee’s actions “nindaniya” (shameful) and accused her of blocking central investigations again and again.
The BJP’s official social media account said Banerjee’s quick visit to the raid sites showed fear and panic, and hinted at a bigger conspiracy. The party alleged that the TMC might be protecting corrupt activities.
BJP spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said the ED was investigating a private company for illegal activities. He accused Mamata Banerjee of stopping a legal investigation, even though she holds a constitutional position.
Coal Scam Background and Earlier ED Raids
The coal smuggling case has been under investigation for a long time. Earlier, the ED had taken action against several leaders in West Bengal, including former TMC Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, in related corruption cases.
No arrests were made during Thursday’s raids, and the ED has not yet shared details about what was seized.
Political Situation Remains Tense
The incident has once again started a debate on whether central agencies are being misused for political reasons. While TMC leaders say the raids are an act of revenge, opposition parties say the investigation must continue without interference.
As the Calcutta High Court prepares to hear the ED’s plea, the political temperature in West Bengal remains high. Attention is now on Mamata Banerjee’s protest march and what legal steps may follow.
This episode shows the ongoing conflict between the Bengal government and central agencies, adding to the already tense political atmosphere in the state.
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Hi! I’m Mansi Sharma, 22, a fearless journalist who turns lifestyle, health, and political trends into bold, unforgettable narratives. I don’t just report — I make every story sizzle, spark, and stick.