TMC MP Derek O'Brien demanded the unconditional release of IPAC's Vinesh Chandel, arrested by the ED in a coal pilferage case. He called for withdrawing central agencies from Bengal before polls, terming the ED's action 'electoral sabotage'.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien on Tuesday demanded the "immediate and unconditional release" of Indian PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd (IPAC) Director Vinesh Chandel, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged coal pilferage-linked money laundering case. He also called for the withdrawal of central agencies from West Bengal ahead of elections, alleging misuse of enforcement actions for political purposes.
Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, TMC MP said, "We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Vinesh Chandel. We demand that central agencies be withdrawn from Bengal ahead of the pulse."
TMC Alleges 'Electoral Sabotage'
O'Brien alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is being used as a "political tool," claiming that its actions close to elections amount to "electoral sabotage." He further criticised the agency's functioning under the PMLA and made sharp remarks on opposition leaders with corruption cases, saying they are "washed" after joining the BJP. He further said, "Let's get to an organisation which has announced its new name last night. The organisation was known as ED. Now they have renamed themselves Extremely Desperate. 10 days before polling is not law enforcement. It is electoral sabotage. On the ED, under PMLA, we've said this, but we'll say it again. Only 0.1 per cent leads to conviction. 23 of 25 opposition leaders with corruption cases, they have the Nirma effect. As soon as they join the BJP, they're given a packet of Nirma, and they're all washed. So it's a political tool we all know."
Background of the Arrest
Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Indian PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd (IPAC) Director Vinesh Chandel under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the alleged coal pilferage case, a press release said. Vinesh Chandel is the founder, director and 33 per cent shareholder of IPAC, and was arrested on Monday, after ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by Delhi Police. (ANI)
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