Political consultancy firm I PAC on Friday said the Enforcement Directorate’s raids at its offices have created what it described as an unsettling precedent, marking its first formal response to developments that have triggered major political controversy in West Bengal, where assembly elections are due in the coming months. The firm, which is currently working with the Trinamool Congress, said it would continue its professional activities without being affected by the situation.
In a statement, I PAC said the previous day had been difficult and unfortunate for a professional organisation like theirs. The firm said the developments raised serious concerns but added that it had fully cooperated with the investigating agency and would continue to do so in accordance with the law and due process.
The consultancy stressed that it has always followed high standards of professional integrity and accountability. It said that despite what happened during the raids, its team remained committed to continuing its work in an unfazed and unperturbed manner, guided by the same principles that have defined the organisation since its inception.
I PAC also highlighted that it has worked purely in a professional advisory role with several political parties across ideologies and regions over the years. These include the BJP, Congress, AAP, TMC, JD U and Shiv Sena. The firm clarified that it does not contest elections or hold political office and that its role is limited to transparent political consulting, independent of ideological differences.
The issue sparked intense political reactions in West Bengal on Thursday after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made an unannounced visit to the central Kolkata residence of I PAC director Pratik Jain and later went to the firm’s office in Salt Lake, where the ED was conducting searches in connection with the coal pilferage case. The chief minister alleged that the central agency was attempting to seize sensitive Trinamool Congress data related to the upcoming elections.
Mamata Banerjee was seen leaving Jain’s residence carrying a green folder and electronic devices, accusing ED officials of overstepping their authority. Later, at the I PAC office, security personnel were observed loading files into the chief minister’s vehicle, further intensifying the controversy.
The Enforcement Directorate subsequently approached the Calcutta High Court, alleging that key incriminating documents had been seized and removed from the agency’s custody with the help of state police. The agency claimed the documents were taken during the search operations.
The Trinamool Congress has also moved the high court, alleging that the ED seized sensitive and confidential political data meant for use in the upcoming assembly elections. The party described the action as arbitrary and mala fide and has sought directions to restrain what it called the misuse and dissemination of documents collected during the raids.
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