The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the Kolkata office of political consultancy I-PAC, reportedly investigating alleged hawala transactions of "tens of crores of rupees" linked to the coal smuggling scam. Sources indicate investigators focused on I-PAC's methods of collecting and storing political and electoral data, rather than its finances. The raid, occurring months before West Bengal elections, has drawn political criticism, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seen leaving the premises with a file. I-PAC, founded by Prashant Kishor, has a long-standing association with the ruling Trinamool Congress.