ED Raids Spark Fresh Centre–State Clash in Bengal

Mamata Banerjee alleges political targeting, agency denies motive

January 8, 2026: The Enforcement Directorate’s raids at locations linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata have sparked a sharp political confrontation in West Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the federal agency of unlawfully seizing Trinamool Congress documents under the pretext of an investigation. The ED, however, rejected the charge, stating that the searches were part of a long-running probe into illegal coal smuggling and money laundering, with no political or electoral agenda.

In a detailed statement, the ED said the raids were based on evidence connected to alleged coal mining irregularities, cash generation and hawala transactions. It clarified that searches were conducted at multiple locations in West Bengal and Delhi linked to individuals under investigation, not at any political party office. The agency added that I-PAC surfaced during the probe due to suspected hawala money trails and insisted the operation was proceeding lawfully until Banerjee arrived at one site with a large police presence.

The political clash intensified after the ED alleged that people holding constitutional posts forcibly entered two search locations and took away official documents, calling it a misuse of authority. The controversy followed raids at the residence of senior I-PAC official Pratik Jain and the firm’s office in Salt Lake. Banerjee accused the agency of trying to access TMC’s internal strategy documents and blamed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for political interference, claims the ED has categorically denied.