Vinesh Chandel, the director of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in New Delhi on charges related to a money laundering investigation stemming from illegal coal mining activities in West Bengal. The ED alleges that around ₹20 crore (approximately $2.4 million USD) generated from the coal mining racket was funneled to I-PAC through hawala channels. This arrest follows a series of raids conducted by the ED on April 2, which included searches at Chandel's residence and the offices of other I-PAC officials. The ED's investigation is based on a 2020 FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation regarding illegal mining at Eastern Coalfields Limited's sites in Kunustoria and Kajora in West Bengal. The agency has previously questioned prominent Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee in connection with the case. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the ED of targeting I-PAC to seize election strategy documents, asserting that the agency's actions are politically motivated. I-PAC has stated that it operates transparently and cooperates fully with legal processes.