• Source:JND

ED Raid I-PAC Row: Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the political temperature soared in the capital city, Kolkata after the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted searches on the premises of political consultancy firm I-PAC and its director Pratik Jain, who also happens to be ruling the Trinamool Congress (TMC) IT Cell head, as part of a money laundering investigation, prompting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to come forward to defend her poll advisor.

Banerjee dramatically turned up at the residence of Jain amid an ongoing ED raid, alleging that the central agency was attempting to seize the TMC's internal documents, hard disks and sensitive data linked to its election strategy. She said the raid at the residence and offices of Jain was politically motivated and unconstitutional. She also arrived at Jain's residence around noon, minutes after Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma reached the spot, and stayed for 20-25 minutes before emerging with a green folder in her hand.

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One name has been flashing in the headlines since morning is I-PAC's Pratik Jain. Here's some information about Jain, who is in the eye of the storm amid dramatic chaos in Kolkata.

Who Is Pratik Jain?

Pratik Jain is the Trinamool Congress (TMC) IT Cell head and the co-founder and director of the political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). He has been working closely with the TMC, ahead of the crucial elections. He, as a poll strategist, devises electoral strategies for various political parties. Jain, studied Metallurgical Engineering and Material Science at IIT Bombay, entered the field of political consulting after completing his engineering degree. He co-founded I-PAC in 2015 with Vinesh Chandel and Rishi Raj Singh.

ALSO READ: 'Intruded, Snatched Away Documents': ED After Mamata Rushes To I-PAC Chief's House In High-Voltage Raid Drama

Jain's Family Files FIR Against ED

Meanwhile, the family of Jain filed a police complaint against the ED, alleging theft of important documents during a raid at home, an officer said. The search operation, which began at 6 am, continued for over nine hours, an official of the probe agency said, adding that ED officials left Jain's residence on Loudon Street in the southern part of the city around 3 pm.

ALSO READ: 'What If I Raid BJP...': Mamata Accuses Centre Of Collecting TMC's Candidate List After ED Action At I-PAC Chief's House

"Shortly after that, Pratik Jain's wife filed a complaint at Shakespeare Sarani police station alleging theft by the ED. It is alleged in the complaint that essential documents were stolen from their home during the raid," the police officer said.

"We have received a formal allegation of theft against the ED and are investigating the matter. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," he added.

(With PTI Inputs)


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