Enforcement Directorate Director Rahul Naveen escalated scrutiny over West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s purported interference in a coal smuggling probe raid on I-PAC. During the January 8 action at the firm’s Salt Lake office and co-founder Prateek Jain’s residence, Banerjee arrived with top officials and police, allegedly impeding ED efforts and removing documents.
Naveen, visiting Kolkata since Thursday for three days, led a thorough review meeting Friday at the regional office, dissecting several marquee cases. Focus sharpened on the I-PAC episode, with demands for lists of accompanying personnel and their roles.
I-PAC’s tenure as TMC’s strategic poll advisor since 2020 places it squarely in the crosshairs. Reports detail Banerjee’s group examining materials and departing with files and electronics, prompting Naveen’s queries on official conduct and pilfered evidence.
Body language observations and behavioral notes were key discussion points, alongside legal strategy sessions. This development signals ED’s intolerance for jurisdictional overreach, poised to influence ongoing anti-corruption drives in a politically charged state.