New Delhi, 30 April (H.S.): The Patiala House Court in Delhi has granted regular bail to Vinesh Chandel, a director of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), in connection with an ongoing money laundering case.

Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal issued the order for his release after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) did not oppose the bail application .

During the hearing, counsel representing Vinesh Chandel argued that the ED had been provided with sufficient opportunity to contest the bail plea but had ultimately chosen not to do so. Consequently, the defense contended that the stringent conditions stipulated under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) would not be applicable, leading the Court to order his release on bail.

Chandel, who was initially arrested by the ED on April 13 and subsequently remanded to judicial custody, holds a 33 percent stake in PAC Consulting Private Limited, the entity under investigation.

The investigation originated from an FIR initially lodged by the Delhi Police, which was later taken up by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged coal scam. The ED’s scrutiny of I-PAC intensified following a raid on the Kolkata residence of I-PAC director Prateek Jain.

At the time, I-PAC was managing campaign operations for the Trinamool Congress. The agency has previously alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attempted to obstruct their investigation by visiting the I-PAC office during the raid and removing certain documents and digital evidence—allegations which the Chief Minister has formally denied.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar