Bengal coal scam probe: ED raids multiple locations linked to I-PAC in three states

Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted raids at several locations linked to I-PAC, owned by Prashant Kishor, in connection with the Bengal coal smuggling scam. 

The raids were carried out at multiple locations in Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad. Prashant Kishor is currently assisting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in strategising for the crucial Assembly elections.

Officials confirmed that this is a pan-India operation. ED teams, along with local authorities, reached the I-PAC premises in the morning and launched search and seizure operations.

It may be recalled that ED sleuths had earlier raided I-PAC offices in West Bengal, during which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself visited the premises, leading to a high-voltage scene as she was seen walking away with files in front of the media.

The ED raised concerns and strongly objected to the alleged obstruction of its work. The agency approached the High Court and later the Supreme Court of India, seeking an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing alleged interference by the state government and the need for a neutral investigation. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denied the allegations and maintained that the central agency had violated its jurisdiction.

As part of its ongoing investigation into the coal scam, the ED has now conducted fresh raids, officials said.

Further details regarding the raids are awaited, as the ED has not yet issued an official statement. However, officials stated that they are in possession of evidence related to money laundering in connection with the scam.

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According to preliminary information, the residence of a person linked to I-PAC in Bengaluru was also searched.

It is alleged that around Rs 10 crore in proceeds of crime were routed to I-PAC through hawala channels, with the firm reportedly receiving payments from the All India Trinamool Congress for its role in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections.

More details are awaited.

It can be noted that the West Bengal coal smuggling case, initiated in 2020, involves illegal excavation and theft of coal from Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) leasehold areas, estimated to be worth hundreds of crores. Led by prime accused Anup Majhi (Lala), the syndicate involves ECL officials, CISF personnel and has implicated political figures and consultancies.

Anup Majhi surrendered in 2024 to the Special CBI court in Asanol, with multiple officials and personnel arrested. The investigation by the ED has suggested links between the funds and the political consultancy firm I-PAC.

The ED has accused the West Bengal government of obstructing its investigations, leading to legal action and tension between federal agencies and state authorities.