Fall-out of ED Raids: Jain’s Wife File Police Complaints of Theft of Documents against ED
NEW DELHI, Jan 8: The family of Pratik Jain, chief of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), on Thursday filed a police complaint against the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging theft of important documents during a raid at his home in South Kolkata, the police said.
The search operation, which began at 6 a.m., continued for over nine hours, an official of the probe agency said, adding that ED officials left Jain’s residence on Loudon Street in the southern part of Kolkata around 3 p.m.
Shortly after that, Pratik Jain’s wife filed a complaint at Shakespeare Sarani police station alleging theft by the ED. It is alleged in the complaint that essential documents were stolen from their home during the raid,” the police said. “We have received a formal allegation of theft against the ED and are investigating the matter. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings,” he added.
I-PAC is the political consultancy firm started by Prashant Kishor, who has now trying his hand in politics. His Jan Suraaj Party contested the recent assembly election in Bihar, though it failed to win any seats. Kishor has indicated he is in for the long haul and for now, will focus on building support among young people.
IPAC had worked as the political consultants of Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress since the 2021 assembly elections. After the 2021 election, they extended their contract till 2026. Apart from providing political consultancy to the TMC, the I-PAC also manages the party’s IT and media operations.
Today’s searches at Jain’s residence and the IPAC office made headlines after the Enforcement Directorate accused Mamata Banerjee of barging in and walking off with evidence — electronic and physical documents – from both places.
The ED has also gone to court, accusing the Chief Minister of “obstructing investigation” and “defending those involved in coal smuggling and money laundering”. The Calcutta High Court is likely to hear the matter tomorrow.
The firm’s office in Salt Lake and Jain’s residence on Loudon Street were among about 10 premises, including four in Delhi, being raided by the federal probe agency in the presence of central paramilitary teams in connection with alleged money laundering connected with a coal scam case.
(Manas Dasgupta)
