Mamata Slams Centre Over ED Raids

Chief Minister Accuses Amit Shah Of Misusing Agencies As ED Denies Political Motive

January 8, 2026: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the Centre over Enforcement Directorate raids linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata. Accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of failing to safeguard the nation, she alleged the ED entered TMC-linked premises to steal party documents, calling Shah the “most nasty and naughty” Home Minister.

The Enforcement Directorate rejected the allegations, stating the searches were part of a long-running investigation into money laundering linked to illegal coal smuggling. The agency said raids were conducted at six locations in West Bengal and four in Delhi based on evidence related to cash generation and hawala transactions. It clarified that I-PAC surfaced during the probe due to suspected hawala links and denied any electoral motive.

The standoff escalated after the ED alleged that individuals holding constitutional posts forcibly entered two search locations and seized official documents, terming it misuse of authority. The controversy followed raids at the residence of senior I-PAC official Pratik Jain and the firm’s Salt Lake office. The ED maintained that no political party office was searched and all actions were legally sanctioned.