ED Officers Allegedly Threatened During I-PAC Office Raid; Mamata Banerjee Accused of Interfering

Kolkata: A high-voltage political confrontation unfolded in Kolkata on Thursday during an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at the office of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been accused of directly interfering in the agency’s operation, triggering a tense standoff between central investigators and the state police.

According to ED sources, the central agency was conducting searches in connection with a money laundering investigation when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the I-PAC office. It is alleged that during the raid, she took possession of a mobile phone belonging to an I-PAC official, Pratik Jain, and retained it with herself.

DGP Present, ED Officers Allegedly Intimidated

The situation reportedly escalated further with the presence of West Bengal’s Director General of Police (DGP) at the raid site. ED officials claim that the DGP instructed them not to record any details in the panchnama and allegedly warned them against showing any recovery during the search.

Sources allege that the DGP went as far as threatening the three ED officers with arrest and the registration of an FIR if they failed to comply with the instructions. At one point, the ED officers were allegedly surrounded by dozens of state police personnel along with the Chief Minister’s Z-category security guards, creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

Allegations of Pressure and Obstruction

ED officials have claimed that they were subjected to continuous pressure and threats throughout the operation. They also alleged that independent witnesses present at the site were harassed and intimidated by members of the Kolkata Police and staff associated with the Chief Minister.

The agency further stated that due to the intense pressure, officials were forced to alter official documentation related to the raid. The ED has termed the incident a serious obstruction of a lawful investigation by a central agency.

Political Fallout Likely

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly objected to the ED action, accusing the central agency of attempting to steal documents linked to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The incident has further intensified the ongoing confrontation between the West Bengal government and central investigative agencies, with significant political ramifications expected in the coming days.