Rahul Navin, the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chief, is expected to visit Kolkata on Thursday to examine the operation of its eastern region office, only days after the federal agency’s spectacular raid on I-PAC’s office devolved into a judicial struggle. Officials stated that the ED director’s visit to the Kolkata branch is regular, during which he will evaluate all cases being investigated in the zone and meet with staff.
According to sources, he is also expected to solicit comments from officers on overall working conditions and security precautions for staff and office buildings, as well as address cases currently in court. The federal agency conducted raids on January 8 on I-PAC, a political consultancy firm that also advises the Trinamool Congress (TMC), but claimed that the action was obstructed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and top police officers, who took away the evidence, including electronic devices seized by it.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case in which the ED has requested action against Mamata Banerjee, including a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. TMC has claimed that the ED was attempting to seize election-related papers from the I-PAC premises soon before the state assembly elections. Navin makes regular visits to all ED regional offices.
