Patiala House Court grants relief after Enforcement Directorate cites his cooperation in investigation
Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Thursday granted bail to Vinesh Chandel, co-founder and director of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), in a money-laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.
The relief came shortly after the conclusion of the West Bengal Assembly elections, with the central agency informing the court that it had no objection to Chandel’s regular bail plea due to his cooperation during the probe.
ED does not oppose bail plea
During the hearing, the Enforcement Directorate told the court that Vinesh Chandel had cooperated voluntarily with investigators and had extended what it described as “purposeful cooperation” during the course of the investigation.
Based on the agency’s stand, the court granted bail while imposing conditions that he must not tamper with evidence, influence witnesses, or obstruct the ongoing probe.
The court also directed Chandel to continue cooperating with investigators, remain available whenever required, and provide all information sought by the agency.
Humanitarian grounds cited
Counsel appearing for Vinesh Chandel argued that the bail request had also been made on humanitarian grounds, pointing to his mother’s serious medical condition.
The defence said Chandel’s mother suffers from dementia and her health had been deteriorating, making his release necessary on compassionate grounds.
Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, representing Chandel, told the court that the ED had not objected to bail, primarily because his client had cooperated throughout the investigation.
Case linked to alleged financial irregularities
According to the Enforcement Directorate, the investigation into the consultancy uncovered alleged financial irregularities involving accounted and unaccounted funds, unsecured loans without business justification, fake invoices, and movement of money through third parties.
The agency alleges that these transactions are connected to suspected proceeds of crime running into several crores.
Investigators have been examining whether the funds were linked to a larger financial network under scrutiny in an alleged West Bengal coal scam.
Arrest before Bengal polls sparked row
Vinesh Chandel was arrested on April 13, just before the West Bengal Assembly elections, and was later remanded to judicial custody.
At the time, the court had allowed the ED to question him in custody after observing that there were reasonable grounds to suspect his involvement in generating and handling proceeds of crime.
The arrest triggered sharp political reactions, with the All India Trinamool Congress alleging that the move was politically motivated and intended to pressure consultants associated with opposition parties.
Political controversy deepens
The Trinamool Congress accused the Centre of misusing investigative agencies to target opposition-linked organisations, a charge that central authorities denied.
The political controversy intensified when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the I-PAC office during an ED raid and removed certain documents, escalating tensions between the party and the investigating agency.
Officials, however, maintained that the investigation was being conducted according to law and denied any political motive.
Bail with conditions
With bail now granted, Vinesh Chandel will remain under the scrutiny of investigators and must comply with all conditions laid down by the court.
