The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Vinesh Chandel, director of political consultancy firm I-PAC, in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to the alleged illegal mining and transportation of coal in West Bengal. Officials said Chandel was taken into custody from Delhi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Arrest Follows Recent ED Raids on I-PAC Officials
The arrest comes more than a week after the ED conducted fresh raids on April 2 at multiple premises associated with I-PAC officials. These searches included Chandel’s residence, the premises of another director, Rishi Raj Singh, and locations linked to former Aam Aadmi Party communications in-charge Vijay Nair.
Officials stated that Chandel will be produced before a court following his detention as part of the agency’s widening investigation into alleged financial irregularities connected to the coal mining racket.
FCRF Returns With CDPO, Its Premier Data Protection Certification for Privacy Professionals
ED Alleges ₹20 Crore Routed to I-PAC Through Hawala Channels
According to ED officials, approximately ₹20 crore in alleged proceeds of crime generated through the West Bengal coal mining racket were transferred to I-PAC via hawala channels. The agency claims the funds were linked to illegal coal extraction and transportation activities currently under investigation.
The money laundering case stems from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR registered in 2020, which alleged illegal mining activities at Eastern Coalfields Ltd’s mines in Kunustoria and Kajora in West Bengal.
Previous Raids Sparked Legal and Political Controversy
Earlier this year, enforcement officials carried out searches at I-PAC’s office and the residence of one of its directors, triggering legal and political controversy. Authorities alleged that search operations faced obstruction during the course of the investigation.
I-PAC, however, maintained that the raids were aimed at accessing internal election-strategy documents and denied any wrongdoing. The firm stated that it had fully cooperated with investigators throughout the process.
I-PAC Earlier Claimed Full Cooperation With Probe
In a statement issued in January, I-PAC said its role is limited to transparent and professional political consulting and denied wrongdoing.
“We believe this [the raids] raises serious concerns and sets an unsettling precedent. Regardless, we have extended full cooperation… engaging with the process in complete accordance and respect for the law,” the firm had said.
