Coal Scam Probe: ED Searches IPAC, Mamata Rushes to Pratik Jain’s House
Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out searches at the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC) and the residence of its head Pratik Jain, in connection with the coal smuggling case, triggering a sharp political flashpoint in West Bengal.
ED teams raided IPAC’s office in Salt Lake Sector V and Jain’s Loudon Street residence in central Kolkata. IPAC is known for providing political consultancy services to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Oh, the distraught.
Oh, the fear.
Oh, the worry.When the ED raided the I-PAC office and the residence of its chief Pratik Jain, what followed raised far more disturbing questions.
A sitting Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) rushing to the spot, looking clueless and… pic.twitter.com/imqGymj9uW
— BJP (@BJP4India) January 8, 2026
Within hours of the searches beginning, Banerjee made a dramatic visit to Jain’s residence, accompanied by Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma. Visuals showed the Chief Minister emerging from the premises carrying files and electronic devices, including hard disks and a laptop, before leaving the area.
Speaking to reporters, Banerjee launched a blistering attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of weaponising central agencies to target the TMC. Claiming that ED officials were attempting to seize party-related documents, she said, “They were trying to take my party’s documents. What will happen if I do the same with the BJP?”
Taking a direct swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Banerjee described him as a “nasty and naughty Home Minister”.
After leaving Jain’s residence, the Chief Minister proceeded to IPAC’s Salt Lake office, where she was seen collecting files through her security personnel and placing them in her vehicle.
The ED raids and Banerjee’s swift intervention have escalated tensions between the Centre and the West Bengal government, adding a fresh political edge to the ongoing coal smuggling probe.
