The Enforcement Directorate has significantly tightened its grip on the political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). In the latest development of an ongoing financial irregularity investigation, the central agency has issued a summons to Rishiraj Singh, one of the firm’s key directors, directing him to appear at the ED headquarters in Delhi.

Singh, a pivotal figure in I-PAC’s decision-making hierarchy, was asked to depose before investigators at 11:00 AM today. His summons follows the earlier arrest of fellow co-founder and director *Vinesh Chandil*. According to agency sources, Chandil’s interrogation yielded critical leads regarding the firm’s financial dealings, and Singh’s testimony is considered essential to corroborate this information.

The investigation into I-PAC has created significant ripples in West Bengal’s political landscape. The firm, which has been instrumental in the Trinamool Congress’s recent electoral strategies, is facing intense scrutiny over alleged money laundering and financial discrepancies.

TMC leadership has reacted sharply to the summons. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently took to social media to criticize the central agencies, alleging that they are intimidating professional organizations associated with the party. She asserted that if these agencies force such firms out of the state, the party would directly absorb the personnel to ensure their livelihoods are protected.

Background: The Raid on Prateek Jain’s Residence

The summons to Rishiraj Singh is not an isolated event but part of a broader offensive against I-PAC’s top brass. Earlier this month, the agency’s focus was squarely on co-founder Prateek Jain.

On April 2, the ED summoned Jain to Delhi for questioning. In response, Jain moved the Delhi High Court, citing his heavy involvement in election-related work and requesting that his interrogation take place in Kolkata instead of the capital. While the court allowed the probe to continue, the ED shifted its focus toward Jain’s immediate family when he did not appear.

The agency subsequently raided and summoned Jain’s brother, Pulkit Jain, and his wife, Barbie Jain. Their involvement in the “scanner” has drawn fierce criticism from political quarters, with many questioning the necessity of involving family members in a corporate financial probe. The refusal of Jain’s family members to appear has led to the current escalation, resulting in the summons issued to Rishiraj Singh as the ED seeks to map out the entirety of I-PAC’s financial operations.