ED Kolkata raid on political strategist raises larger operational issues in federal structure

The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) January 8 raid in Kolkata at the premises of a political consultancy group professionally linked with West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress has raised questions over federalism and political targeting weeks ahead of Assembly elections. This perception got more heft when the ED informed Calcutta High Court that it found incriminating documents at the I-PAC office and at the residence of its owner.

The High Court hearing had to be adjourned amidst what the judge termed “enormous disturbance” created in courtroom. While the ED has approached the Supreme Court, alleging obstruction by state authorities during the raids and seeking a fair probe, the Mamata-led administration accused the central agency of bypassing local law enforcement and also filed a caveat in the Apex Court to prevent ex-parte orders.

On January 15, the Supreme Court stayed FIRs filed by the West Bengal police against ED officers present during the searches. The Apex Court noted that the petition raised a serious issue over investigations by central agencies and interference by state agencies.

The bench also raised concerns over obstruction of the High Court proceeding, and issued a notice to the West Bengal government over the ED's plea to transfer the probe to the CBI.

The raids were conducted at the residence and office of Pratik Jain, head of the political strategist firm I-PAC. The group, founded by Prashant Kishor, has been providing Trinamool with professional services in West Bengal. The timing, and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) public intent at seizing power in West Bengal have led to the issue escalating into a major controversy.

The raid has triggered a political storm intensifying the confrontation between the state’s ruling and principal Opposition parties over the role of central probe agencies in India’s electoral landscape. Claimed as part of an investigation into a fake government job scam linked to a broader money laundering probe, details on the raid remain largely unknown.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally arrived at the premises during the raid, accusing the centre of using the ED as a political weapon. She described the action as “political targeting” ahead of crucial state polls.

She then walked out reportedly with hard copies and digital documents with the ED framing her as creating roadblocks in their investigation, and for theft of evidence. Trinamool alleged that the raids were designed to intimidate its election machinery, given I-PAC’s central role in strategising campaigns.

The BJP has claimed that the ED was simply investigating corruption and that Mamata’s reaction showed nervousness over being politically exposed. Ideally, central and state agencies should collaborate, but the Kolkata incident reflects adversarial dynamics.

The ED operates under central authority, often investigating financial crimes with national implications. State police, however, retain constitutional responsibility for law and order within their territory. The deployment of CRPF alongside ED officials points to the central agency’s reliance on paramilitary forces rather than the state machinery.

Some on-ground reports suggested that Kolkata Police and its Commissioner had also reached the premises during the raids but were barred entry. The I-PAC later issued a statement expressing serious concerns over the raids, calling it an “unsettling precedent”. Recounting works done as professional advisers to multiple political parties, including the BJP, Congress, and others, it ended by saying that the organisation remains fully committed to continuing its work “unfazed and unperturbed”.

Incidentally, the I-PAC has been instrumental in shaping electoral campaigns across India. In West Bengal, it played a decisive role in TMC’s 2021 victory, helping Mamata Banerjee fend off a strong BJP challenge.

The episode has further underscored centre-state friction over the role of central agencies in opposition-ruled states. This tug-of-war highlights investigative bodies' actions allegedly acquiring political overtones.

The raids could disrupt TMC’s campaign planning, as I-PAC is deeply embedded in its electoral machinery. But, being the astute politician, Mamata is raising the incident to mobilise sympathy, portraying herself as a victim of central overreach.