Tensions soared in Kolkata as ED chief Rahul Naveen demanded specifics on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s alleged meddling during raids on I-PAC, a Trinamool-affiliated firm implicated in coal smuggling. On January 8, ED teams hit I-PAC’s headquarters in Salt Lake and Prateek Jain’s Lodan Street home, only to face interruption from Banerjee and her retinue of officials and cops.
Fresh from a Thursday arrival for a three-day inspection, Naveen dominated Friday’s zonal office briefing. He zeroed in on the raid dynamics, seeking identities and actions of those with Banerjee, who reportedly perused and pocketed files and gadgets before leaving.
Since 2020, I-PAC has shaped TMC’s campaign tactics, drawing ED’s gaze amid financial irregularity allegations. Naveen’s interrogation covered on-site behaviors, body language analysis, and a catalog of removed items.
The director’s huddle with lawyers points to brewing legal confrontations. This episode amplifies accusations of political shielding in Bengal’s scam sagas, challenging the boundaries of state-central agency interactions. With Naveen’s directive, expect rigorous follow-ups that could expose deeper networks.