Delhi Court Grants Bail to I-PAC Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel in Money Laundering Case

ED raises no objection as court releases Vinesh Kumar Chandel on regular bail a day after West Bengal polls begin, citing cooperation in probe linked to alleged coal pilferage.

A Delhi court on Thursday granted regular bail to Vinesh Kumar Chandel, director and co-founder of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The agency informed the court it had no objection to his release.

Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal of the Patiala House Courts allowed the plea after taking on record the investigating officer’s statement. The court noted Chandel’s cooperation with the probe so far.

Bail Terms and Conditions

The court granted bail on a personal bond of ₹2 lakh with a surety of the same amount. Standard conditions were imposed: Chandel cannot leave the country without prior permission, must not tamper with evidence, and has to continue cooperating with the investigation. The detailed order is expected to be uploaded shortly.

Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, assisted by advocate Abhishek Mishra, represented Chandel in the matter.

This development came just a day after the commencement of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections, where I-PAC has played a significant role in supporting the Trinamool Congress (TMC) campaign machinery.

Earlier Rejection of Interim Bail

Only days earlier, the same court had turned down Chandel’s application for interim bail. The judge had stressed that relief under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is not granted routinely, especially given the stringent provisions of Section 45.

Chandel had cited his 74-year-old mother’s dementia and other family health issues, including hypertension and related conditions. However, the court found no evidence of sudden life-threatening emergency or acute deterioration that would justify immediate release. Medical documents were deemed insufficient, and the presence of other family members, including his wife and brother, was noted as adequate support.

The court had also highlighted the serious nature of the allegations involving economic offences.

Background of the Case

Chandel was arrested by the ED on April 13 in Delhi in connection with a money laundering probe stemming from an alleged coal pilferage case in West Bengal. He was later sent to 14 days of judicial custody on April 23 after the expiry of ED remand. The case traces back to an ECIR registered on March 28, based on an FIR by the Economic Offences Wing.

According to the ED, proceeds of crime from the coal scam—running into crores—were allegedly laundered through structured transactions, including splitting of accounted and unaccounted cash, bogus invoices, and hawala channels. I-PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd and its directors, including Chandel who holds a significant stake, came under scrutiny for their alleged role in concealing and layering such funds. Initial probes pointed to around ₹20 crore or more being routed through such networks.

Raids were conducted earlier at multiple locations linked to I-PAC officials across cities.

I-PAC’s Role in TMC’s Campaign Strategy

I-PAC gained prominence for its data-driven approach in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, where it helped shape TMC’s organisational strategy under Mamata Banerjee. The firm handled aspects ranging from candidate selection and booth-level micro-management to crafting speeches, social media content, posters, and slogans.

In the run-up to the 2026 polls, I-PAC reportedly analysed booth-level data from previous elections, categorising seats by strength and margins. Seats with narrow victories up to 15,000 votes received special attention. The team was also involved in monitoring Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, deploying shadow agents to assist voters facing deletions, and providing real-time ground inputs through a dedicated team that organised small-scale meetings.

The firm’s deep involvement had made it a key pillar of TMC’s election machinery, though the party has developed internal capacities over the years to handle data and outreach.

Political Timing and Reactions

The arrest, which came weeks before the polls, triggered strong reactions from TMC leaders, who questioned the timing and described the ED action as politically motivated. The development added another layer of tension in what is already a keenly contested election in the state.

With Chandel’s release on regular bail, the focus now shifts to the continuation of the investigation. The ED’s decision not to oppose bail has been noted, though the agency retains the right to pursue the case further.

Legal experts point out that while bail has been granted, the underlying PMLA case involves serious allegations that could have implications for the financial trail being examined. Chandel is expected to remain bound by the court’s conditions as the probe proceeds.

The case continues to draw attention not just for its legal merits but also for its intersection with the high-stakes political battle in West Bengal. Further developments, including the uploading of the detailed bail order, are awaited.