I-PAC Raid Showdown: ED Claims Evidence Snatching, Mamata Alleges Data Theft

In a major development ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at the offices of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain. The situation escalated into a direct confrontation when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally rushed to the raid spots, alleging that the central agency was trying to “steal” her party’s election strategy data.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the raids, the controversy, and the legal battle that has now reached the Calcutta High Court.

The Raid: What Happened?

On the morning of January 8, 2026, ED teams, accompanied by central forces, launched simultaneous searches at:

• I-PAC’s Office: Located in the Godrej Waterside building in Salt Lake, Kolkata.
• Pratik Jain’s Residence: Located on Loudon Street, Kolkata.

The Reason: The ED stated the raids were part of a money-laundering probe linked to a 2020 coal smuggling scam. The agency suspects that “proceeds of crime” from the scam were diverted to I-PAC via hawala channels to fund election campaigns.

The Showdown: CM Mamata Banerjee’s Entry

In an unprecedented move, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by the Kolkata Police Commissioner and top officials, visited both the I-PAC office and Pratik Jain’s home while the raids were ongoing.

• The Allegation: Mamata Banerjee accused the ED of acting on behalf of the BJP to cripple the Trinamool Congress (TMC) before the 2026 elections. She claimed the agency was seizing hard drives, candidate lists, and internal surveys that had no connection to the coal case.
• The “Green File” Mystery: Witnesses and news reports state that the Chief Minister was seen leaving the I-PAC office with a bundle of files (some reports mention a “green file”) and digital devices, which she claimed were party property that the ED had no right to seize.

ED’s Counter-Charge: “Obstruction of Justice”

The Enforcement Directorate has hit back strongly, filing a complaint against the state machinery.

• Evidence Snatching: In a petition to the Calcutta High Court, the ED alleged that the Chief Minister and state police “forcibly removed” critical evidence (documents and devices) from the raid site.
• Obstruction: The agency termed the intervention as an “illegal intrusion” into a statutory investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Why I-PAC Matters in 2026

I-PAC, originally founded by Prashant Kishor, is the primary election management agency for the TMC.

• Role: They handle door-to-door campaigns, voter surveys, social media strategy, and candidate selection research.
• Impact: seizing their data could reveal TMC’s entire game plan for the upcoming assembly polls, giving rivals a significant advantage.
• Current Leadership: While Prashant Kishor has moved on to launch his own party (Jan Suraaj) in Bihar, Pratik Jain currently heads I-PAC’s operations in West Bengal.

What Happens Next?

The matter is now in the courts.

1. Legal Battle: Both TMC and ED have moved the Calcutta High Court. The court will decide if the ED’s search was politically motivated or if the state government obstructed a legal probe.
2. Police Complaints: Pratik Jain’s family has filed a police complaint against the ED for “theft” of personal items during the raid.
3. Political War: With the 2026 elections approaching, this raid has set the tone for a bitter battle between the TMC and the BJP-led Centre.

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