On Monday, Dilip Ghosh of the BJP described I-PAC as “a way to increase corruption” after Vinesh Chancel was arrested. This arrest was part of the Enforcement Directorate investigating under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and it’s linked to alleged illegal stealing of coal.
Ghosh’s allegation against I-PAC
Ghosh explained to reporters that I-PAC shouldn’t continue to exist as it increases corruption in Bengal politics and has turned into a method for making money by being corrupt. He was criticizing people from outside of West Bengal for influencing the state’s politics.
Ghosh also criticized the Trinamool Congress before the assembly election, saying they only think about workers, women, and young people when an election is near. He mentioned national government programs, and accused the Bengal state government of unfairly bothering workers.
Arrest of Vinesh Chandel and legal context
Vinesh Chancel was arrested on April and is being held under the terms of the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) of 2002. This happened after the Delhi Police filed a report and started an investigation. Chancel founded I-PAC, is its director, and owns 33% of the company.
The arrest is connected to a money laundering investigation relating to the alleged illegal stealing of coal. The PMLA lets the Enforcement Directorate look into money from crimes and seize property if they think money laundering has occurred.
Political fallout ahead of Bengal polls
The I-PAC team in West Bengal has been working on campaigning for the current ruling party before the 2026 assembly elections. The arrest has quickly become a political battle as the different parties attempt to influence what the public thinks before people vote.
Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition, wrote to the Election Commission saying I-PAC is “regularly giving fake press cards to TMC workers”. He says people who aren’t journalists are being presented as members of the media, and this brings up questions about openness and honesty.
TMC response and claims of politicization of probes
Derek O’Brien, a TMC MP, at a press conference, asked for Vinesh Chancel to be “released immediately and without any conditions”. He wants the national investigative agencies to be removed from West Bengal before the election and says the investigation is unfair political meddling.
O’Brien said the Enforcement Directorate is being used as a “political weapon” and suggested actions so close to the election are “destroying the election”. The TMC party insists on correct legal procedure, but also condemns what they consider to be only some laws being enforced.
What to watch next
People will be watching to see if the Election Commission does anything about the claims regarding the press passes and if the legal case against Chancel moves forward. When the ED case continues, when Chancel might appear in court, and if the Election Commission starts its own investigations will all affect how the parties present their views.
This issue could change how the campaigns are run and what voters think as the election gets closer. The results of the legal proceedings and what the Election Commission does will decide if this becomes a quick news story or a central point of the West Bengal election.
