The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Vinesh Chandel, director of political consultancy firm I-PAC, in connection with a money laundering probe linked to a case related to alleged illegal mining and transportation of coal in West Bengal.
The arrest comes after the agency launched fresh raids on I-PAC on April 2, including at Chandel’s residence and the premises of another director, Rishi Raj Singh, and former communications in-charge of Aam Aadmi Party, Vijay Nair.
ED has alleged that around ₹20 crore proceeds of crime generated in the West Bengal coal mining racket were transferred through hawala channels to I-PAC.
The agency had earlier questioned TMC national general secretary and member of parliament Abhishek Banerjee, alleging he was a beneficiary of funds from the illegal mining.
