Kolkata erupted into controversy as Enforcement Directorate (ED) Director Rahul Naveen took decisive action amid allegations of obstruction by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. During a high-stakes raid on the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) offices linked to a coal smuggling probe, Banerjee allegedly arrived with state officials and police, hindering the operation.
Naveen, on a three-day visit to Kolkata, held an extensive review meeting Friday at the ED’s zonal office. Sources reveal he specifically sought details on the officials accompanying Banerjee at two locations: I-PAC’s Salt Lake office and co-founder Prateek Jain’s Lodan Street residence. The raids occurred on January 8, targeting I-PAC’s alleged role in financial irregularities tied to coal scams.
Eyewitness accounts describe Banerjee’s team disrupting proceedings, scrutinizing documents, and reportedly removing files and electronic records before departing. I-PAC, functioning as a voting strategy firm for the Trinamool Congress since 2020, has come under intense scrutiny.
In the meeting, Naveen grilled raid teams on the behavior and body language of the accompanying state personnel. He demanded a comprehensive report on seized materials allegedly whisked away by Banerjee’s entourage. Discussions extended to ED’s legal team, signaling potential escalations.
This incident underscores deepening tensions between central agencies and the Bengal government, raising questions about political interference in corruption probes. As investigations intensify, Naveen’s push for accountability could reshape the narrative around high-profile cases in the state.