The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its crackdown on the high-profile political consultancy firm I-PAC. Following extensive searches in Kolkata, the central agency has now shifted its focus to Hyderabad, conducting simultaneous raids at three locations linked to I-PAC Director Rishiraj Singh. Interestingly, the same team that previously investigated I-PAC official Pratik Jain in Kolkata is leading the current operation in Hyderabad.

The agency’s move is part of the ongoing investigation into the multi-crore coal smuggling scam, where I-PAC’s financial dealings have come under the scanner. Earlier, on January 8, the ED had searched I-PAC’s Salt Lake office and Pratik Jain’s residence in Loudon Street. That raid witnessed high drama as CM Mamata Banerjee personally reached the spot, accusing the ED of acting with political motives to seize candidate lists and sensitive documents.

The fallout of the previous raid even reached the Supreme Court after the ED alleged that documents were forcibly taken from them. With the current raids in Hyderabad targeting Rishiraj Singh, the ED aims to uncover further links in the money trail. This development, occurring right in the middle of the election season, is expected to spark a fresh political face-off between the ruling TMC and the Centre.