Mamata Banerjee visits I-PAC chief’s home during ED raid
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the residence of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain in Kolkata’s Loudon Street on January 8, 2026, while Enforcement Directorate (ED) teams conducted searches there and at I-PAC’s office. She emerged carrying a green file, alleging ED officials tried to seize Trinamool Congress (TMC) documents, hard disks, and candidate lists for upcoming assembly elections. Banerjee called the raids “politically motivated” and unconstitutional, criticizing Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
ED raids targeted six locations in West Bengal and four in Delhi, linked to a money laundering probe from an old coal smuggling case, not directly targeting party offices. I-PAC, founded by Prashant Kishor, handles TMC’s IT cell, election strategies, and welfare scheme implementation, with Jain as a key figure meeting Banerjee regularly. Operations began early morning with CRPF support; ED accused Banerjee of illegal intrusion and document snatching.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari condemned Banerjee’s visit as obstruction of justice and unethical interference. CPI(M)’s Mohammed Salim questioned her selective response, alleging I-PAC’s ties to scams involving Abhishek Banerjee. The timing, ahead of West Bengal elections and amid BJP leaders’ visits, fueled claims of political vendetta from both sides.
