In a move seen as highly significant by legal and political observers, the Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Rahul Navin, is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Thursday. This marks his first visit to the city since taking charge as Director and comes amidst a heated legal battle between the central agency and the West Bengal government.
Strategic Timing and Legal Reinforcements
Navin will be accompanied by three senior legal advisors, a clear signal of the agency’s intent to fortify its position before the Supreme Court. The timing is critical, as the apex court is set to hear the “I-PAC obstruction case” on February 3. Sources suggest that during his one-day visit, the Director may meet with the Governor of West Bengal and hold high-level briefings with ED and CBI officials to review the status of several high-profile money laundering cases in the state.
Reviewing the I-PAC Raid
A primary focus of this “review meeting” will be the recent raid on the residence and office of Pratik Jain, the head of the political consultancy firm I-PAC. Rahul Navin is expected to meet directly with the officers who conducted the searches on Loudon Street and at the Salt Lake office to get a first-hand account of the events that unfolded.
The investigation into I-PAC is officially linked to a 2020 coal smuggling case. The ED alleges that a hawala operator facilitated transactions worth tens of crores to the consultancy firm.
Background: The I-PAC Raid and Political Firestorm
The current tension stems from a dramatic confrontation on January 8, 2026, when ED officials raided the premises of Pratik Jain, a co-founder of I-PAC and a key strategist for the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The Confrontation
The raid took an unprecedented turn when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at Pratik Jain’s residence while the search was still in progress. Flanked by senior police officials, the Chief Minister was seen exiting the premises carrying files and a green folder.
The ED’s Stance: The agency moved the Supreme Court, accusing the Chief Minister and the state police of “gross obstruction of justice.” They allege that “key evidence,” including digital devices and physical documents, was forcibly removed, effectively derailing a lawful investigation.
The TMC’s Stance: Mamata Banerjee has fiercely defended the move, claiming the ED was attempting to “steal” internal party data, candidate lists, and election strategies for the upcoming 2026 Assembly polls. She characterized the raid as a “political vendetta” orchestrated by the Union Home Ministry.
