On 8 January 2026, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at multiple locations linked to Pratik Jain, co-founder and director of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC).
The searches included Jain’s residence on Loudon Street in Kolkata and I-PAC’s office in Salt Lake.
The action is part of a money-laundering investigation linked to an alleged coal smuggling case.
Who is Pratik Jain?
Pratik Jain is an alumnus of IIT Bombay, where he studied metallurgical engineering and materials science. He later worked as an analyst before entering political consultancy.
He was a founding member of Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG), which later evolved into I-PAC in 2015. The organisation provides campaign support including data analysis, voter outreach and digital strategy, and has worked with several political parties across India.
The Trinamool Congress link
I-PAC has had a long association with the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has publicly stated that Pratik Jain oversees the party’s IT and media operations. Media reports also describe him as supervising I-PAC’s work in West Bengal.
What the ED is investigating
According to the ED, the searches are connected to a probe into alleged laundering of proceeds from illegal coal mining and transportation. The agency has said it is examining financial trails involving multiple individuals and entities linked to the case.
The ED has not publicly stated that Pratik Jain has been arrested or formally charged.
What happened during the raids
During the searches in Kolkata:
- Mamata Banerjee visited Jain’s residence while the ED action was ongoing.
- She alleged that officials were attempting to access or seize sensitive political data, including documents and digital storage devices.
- The ED later approached the Calcutta High Court, alleging obstruction of its investigation and claiming that hard disks and documents were removed from the premises.
Jain’s family filed a police complaint alleging theft of documents during the raid. Jain has also challenged the ED’s actions through legal proceedings.
Why this matters
The episode has triggered a political response ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, with the TMC accusing central agencies of targeting political strategists, and the ED maintaining that it is conducting a routine financial investigation.
As of now, the case remains under investigation, and the legal process is ongoing.
