The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Vinesh Chandel, a director of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), in connection with a money laundering case linked to the alleged coal scam in West Bengal.
Chandel was taken into custody in New Delhi after being questioned by the agency. His arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into illegal coal mining and the suspected movement of funds linked to the case.
The probe began after a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2020. It alleged large-scale coal pilferage from mines operated by Eastern Coalfields Limited, particularly in areas like Asansol. Officials believe that money earned from illegal mining was routed through unofficial channels and spread across different entities.
According to the ED, some of these funds may have been transferred to a company linked to I-PAC. Investigators are now trying to understand the money trail and Chandel’s possible role in the transactions.
Before the arrest, the agency had carried out searches at multiple locations, including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. During these raids, officials reportedly collected documents and financial records that are now being examined as part of the case.
Following his arrest, a court has sent Chandel to ED custody for further questioning. Officials say the investigation is still ongoing, and more details could come out in the coming days.
The case has also triggered political reactions, as I-PAC has worked with major political parties, including the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. Some leaders have questioned the timing of the arrest, especially with elections approaching in the state.
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