In a significant development following the conclusion of the second phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly election, Vinesh Chandel, co-founder and director of political consultancy firm I-PAC, has been granted bail by a Delhi court. The bail was granted on Thursday by the Patiala House Court, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) notably choosing not to oppose his application during the hearing.
Chandel was arrested on April 13, at the peak of election campaigning in West Bengal, following questioning by the ED in connection with a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). A day later, he was remanded to 10 days of ED custody. After the completion of his custodial interrogation on April 23, he was sent to judicial custody. His earlier plea for interim bail had been rejected by the court last week.
However, the situation shifted on Thursday when the bail proceedings came up before Judge Amit Bansal. According to court sources, the public prosecutor did not oppose the bail plea, paving the way for Chandel’s release.
The ED’s case against Chandel stems from an FIR registered by the Delhi Police, alleging financial irregularities and money laundering. Investigators have claimed that Chandel, who holds a 33 percent stake in I-PAC, was linked to the alleged financial misconduct.
The case has drawn political attention due to I-PAC’s long-standing association with the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Earlier this year, on January 8, the ED conducted searches at I-PAC’s office in Salt Lake, Kolkata, and at the residence of co-founder Pratik Jain.
The raids sparked controversy after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Jain’s residence during the operation, accompanied by state officials. Allegations later surfaced that certain documents and electronic devices were removed during the search, a matter that reportedly escalated to legal proceedings in the Supreme Court of India.
Chandel’s arrest ahead of the first phase of polling and his release after the second phase have triggered speculation in political circles over the timing of these developments. While some observers view it as part of the due legal process, others are questioning potential political implications.
For now, Chandel’s bail has brought relief to the I-PAC camp, even as the investigation into the alleged financial irregularities continues.
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