New Delhi: A fresh political storm has erupted following Enforcement Directorate searches linked to a massive coal theft and money laundering case in West Bengal, with investigators alleging that proceeds from the scam were diverted to fuel election-related operations of political consultancy firm I-PAC, including activities in Goa.
The probe centres on an alleged coal pilferage racket involving illegal mining and theft from leasehold areas of Eastern Coalfields Limited in West Bengal. Investigators claim the operation was run by a well organised syndicate with the support of local officials, law enforcement personnel and private intermediaries. The alleged network is said to have extracted and sold coal illegally across several districts, generating vast sums of unaccounted cash over multiple years.
According to investigators, the illegal proceeds were collected centrally and meticulously recorded through digital ledgers. The overall amount generated through the alleged scam is estimated at over Rs 2,742 crore between late 2017 and 2020. These funds were reportedly moved through informal cash channels and hawala routes to avoid detection, forming the basis of the ongoing money laundering investigation.
A key focus of the inquiry is the alleged transfer of around Rs 20 crore from Kolkata to Goa during 2021 and 2022. Authorities claim this money moved through a complex chain of financiers, intermediaries and firms before reaching vendors and individuals associated with election-related event management. These firms were allegedly engaged by I-PAC to support its political campaign activities in Goa during that period. Investigators have also stated that I-PAC’s senior leadership oversaw the firm’s operations in the state where the funds were purportedly utilised.
Several individuals have been arrested so far, and dozens have been named as accused in charge sheets filed in the case. The alleged kingpin of the coal syndicate, along with former police officials and senior coal company personnel, remain under scrutiny. I-PAC director Pratik Jain is also part of the ongoing investigation.
The raids have triggered intense political reactions, particularly after the West Bengal Chief Minister entered premises searched by the agency. This has escalated the matter into a high profile political confrontation, with legal petitions filed by both sides and sharp exchanges between ruling and opposition parties.
The case is currently being examined under anti money laundering and criminal conspiracy laws, and remains at the pre charge stage before the court, with further proceedings expected in the coming weeks.
