Kolkata, Jan 21 (UNI) In the midst of the Enforcement Directorate's tensions with the West Bengal government, ED Director Rahul Navin is set to visit the state. According to ED sources, Navin will arrive in Kolkata on Thursday on a three-day visit, though the exact purpose of the tour has not been officially disclosed.
The visit is being seen as significant against the backdrop of the recent confrontation between the central agency and the Trinamool Congress-led state government following ED searches at the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its founder Pratik Jain.
On January 8, the ED carried out raids at I-PAC’s office and Jain’s home.
During the searches, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached both locations along with state Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar and Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma.
I-PAC is currently engaged in handling election-related work for the Trinamool Congress.
The ruling party alleged that the ED, acting at the behest of the BJP, attempted to access the party’s candidate list and seize sensitive political data stored at the I-PAC office.
Mamata Banerjee was later seen leaving the premises with documents and files, claiming that she had gone there not as the state’s administrative head but in her capacity as Trinamool Congress chairperson.
Following her intervention, the ED raised objections, and the matter soon reached the courts. After proceedings in the Calcutta High Court, the case is now pending before the Supreme Court.
The ED has questioned the role of the chief minister and the state police during the incident and has sought a CBI probe into the episode.
The legal battle has since expanded, with the ED and state investigating agencies locked in action and counter-action.
Meanwhile, Kolkata and Bidhannagar police have initiated steps against the ED, while the agency has moved court against the police.
At present, the court has directed that no coercive action will be taken against the ED.
Amid this backdrop, Rahul Navin’s Kolkata visit has drawn attention.
He is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, hold a meeting with senior ED officials at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake on Friday, and return to Delhi on Saturday.
Sources indicated that ED officials have been instructed to remain present at the CGO Complex during all three days, and discussions on the I-PAC case are likely during the meetings.
This will be Rahul Navin’s second visit to West Bengal in recent times.
He last visited the state on January 9, 2024, four days after ED officials were attacked during a raid at the Sandeshkhali residence of expelled Trinamool leader Shahjahan Sheikh.
That incident had triggered nationwide outrage, and Rahul Navin had then met ED officers in Kolkata. His latest visit comes barely two weeks after the I-PAC episode, adding to its political and administrative significance.
UNI SAG RN