ED Chief To Visit Kolkata Over Coal Smuggling Case

Enforcement Directorate (ED) director Rahul Nabin is scheduled to visit Kolkata on Thursday amid rising tension between the central agency and the West Bengal government, officials said. The visit will focus on internal reviews and security arrangements for ED personnel in the state.

Sources said Navin will chair meetings at the agency’s Salt Lake Office to review ongoing investigations, including the alleged coal smuggling case.

Senior officials indicated that the visit is also aimed at boosting morale among officers and addressing concerns over their ability to function following recent development. Security issues faced by ED personnel are expected to be discussed.

Navin is likely to meet officers involved in searches conducted earlier this month at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of it’s chief, pratik Jain, which were linked to the coal smuggling probe.

The visit follows chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s intervention during the ED searches on January 8, when she alleged that officials were attempting to seize confidential Trinamool Congress election-related material. I-PAC has served as the party’s poll consultant.

Sources added that the ED director is also expected to meet West Bengal governor C.V. Ananda Bose during his stay.