ED conducts fresh raids at I-PAC locations in Bengal coal smuggling case

The coordinated raids were conducted as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged coal smuggling and pilferage case connected to West Bengal.

Officials confirmed that the searches were undertaken across several major cities, signalling an expansion of the probe’s scope.

The raids covered premises in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi.

Among those linked to the searched locations is Rishi Raj Singh, co-founder and director of I-PAC, whose premises were included in the operation.

Authorities indicated that the searches are part of efforts to gather evidence related to the alleged irregularities in coal handling and distribution.

This is not the first instance of ED action in the case.

Earlier in January, the ED carried out searches at the Kolkata office of I-PAC and at the residence of its director Pratik Jain as part of the same money laundering investigation linked to the alleged multi-crore coal case.

The operation triggered a political row after Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with leaders from the All India Trinamool Congress, entered the I-PAC office in Salt Lake during the searches.

The agency later alleged that Mamata obstructed the raid and took away key evidence, including documents and electronic devices, from the site.

Banerjee rejected these claims, accusing the central agency of exceeding its mandate.

The ED subsequently approached the Calcutta High Court and later the Supreme Court of India, seeking an independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation, citing alleged state interference.

According to the agency, nearly ₹10 crore in suspected proceeds of crime were routed to I-PAC through hawala channels, with payments allegedly linked to its engagement with the Trinamool Congress during the 2022 Goa Assembly elections.

The ED has summoned both Singh and Jain in recent weeks to record their statements as part of the investigation.

Following the issuance of summons, the two executives approached the Delhi High Court seeking to quash the notices.

In their petition, they cited ongoing professional commitments related to election work in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

The legal proceedings are currently underway as the investigation continues to unfold across multiple jurisdictions.