Delhi Court Upholds Arrest Of I-PAC Director Under PMLA, Grants 10-Day ED Custody
A Delhi court held that the Enforcement Directorate complied with PMLA safeguards while arresting the I-PAC director, Vinesh Kumar Chandel and granted 10 days’ custody for custodial interrogation
Delhi court upheld ED’s arrest of I-PAC director in PMLA case and granted 10-day custody
A Delhi court has held that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) complied with statutory requirements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) while arresting Vinesh Kumar Chandel, Director of I-PAC, and granted the agency 10 days’ custody for further investigation.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Shefali Barnala Tandon of the Patiala House Court passed the order.
In its order, the court recorded that all mandatory safeguards under Sections 19(1), 19(2), and 19(3) of the PMLA were duly followed at the time of arrest. It noted that copies of the arrest order, grounds of arrest, and related documents were furnished to the accused with proper acknowledgment, and that the material was also forwarded to the Adjudicating Authority in accordance with law.
Referring to the Enforcement Directorate’s submissions, the court took note of allegations that Chandel was involved in routing funds through informal channels, including hawala, and that certain transactions were conducted outside the formal banking system. The agency further claimed that multiple financial dealings with various entities lacked any apparent legitimate business purpose.
The court also recorded the ED’s contention that statements made during the course of investigation were inconsistent with the documentary material collected. Additionally, it noted allegations that certain electronic records and emails were deleted following search proceedings, which, according to the agency, may have impacted the investigation.
Observing that these aspects require deeper scrutiny, the court held that custodial interrogation was necessary to ascertain the role of the accused, trace the proceeds of crime, and identify other individuals who may be involved in the alleged offence. It also took into account the ED’s concerns regarding the possibility of tampering with evidence and the need to secure relevant information.
Accordingly, the court allowed the ED’s plea and remanded Chandel to custody for a period of 10 days, till April 23, 2026.
The court further directed that the interrogation be conducted strictly in compliance with prescribed safeguards, including CCTV surveillance and periodic medical examination of the accused, ensuring adherence to due process during the period of custody.
In a related news, there is a plea before the Supreme Court, filed by Enforcement Directorate’s plea against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and certain state police officers over the alleged obstruction of a search at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC, which works with the All India Trinamool Congress. The plea filed by the ED alleges that its officials were obstructed while conducting a search on January 8 at the office of I-PAC, the political consultant engaged by the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The ED has accused state authorities of interfering with the exercise of its statutory powers.
On the last hearing, on January 15, the court had issued notice on petitions filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and its officers alleging interference by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior state police officials during a search conducted at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its director Prateek Jain. The bench had observed that the matter raised “larger questions” concerning the independence of investigations by central agencies and possible interference by state authorities, warranting examination by the apex court.
The Bench had also directed the State of West Bengal to preserve CCTV footage and other electronic evidence relating to the premises searched on January 8, as well as footage from nearby areas, noting the relevance of such material to the adjudication of the dispute.
The ED had sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal police officers, alleging that the Chief Minister, accompanied by senior police officials, entered the premises during a lawful search under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and forcibly took away digital devices and documents.
Bench: Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Shefali Barnala Tandon
Order Date: April 14, 2026