I-PAC Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel Granted Bail by Delhi Court in PMLA Case

A Delhi court on Thursday granted regular bail to Vinesh Chandel, co-founder and director of political consultancy firm I-PAC, in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal at Patiala House Courts after the agency informed the court that it was not opposing the bail plea.

The court granted relief while imposing standard conditions, including continued cooperation with the investigation, remaining available whenever required, and not attempting to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence. A detailed written order is still awaited.

Chandel had been arrested on April 13 after questioning by the ED and was later remanded to custody during the course of the probe. His arrest had triggered political reactions because it came shortly before the West Bengal Assembly elections, where I-PAC has been associated with campaign strategy work.

Earlier this week, the same court had rejected Chandel’s interim bail plea filed on humanitarian grounds related to his mother’s health, observing that the request did not meet the threshold of urgent and exceptional circumstances under the law.

What Is the Case About?

The money laundering case stems from a predicate FIR registered by the CBI in November 2020 regarding alleged illegal coal mining and coal pilferage in areas linked to Eastern Coalfields Limited in West Bengal, particularly around Asansol’s Kunustoria and Kajora regions. Based on that FIR, the ED initiated a PMLA investigation into alleged proceeds of crime.

According to the ED’s case, funds connected to the alleged coal-smuggling network were routed through hawala channels and shell-style transactions to Indian PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd, the company linked to I-PAC. Investigators have alleged that transactions included unsecured loans, questionable invoices, and layered transfers through third-party entities.

The agency also claimed that the company used a structure where some payments came through banking channels while other amounts were allegedly handled outside formal systems, with fake invoices used to legitimize receipts. These allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.

Court Proceedings Before Bail

When granting ED custody earlier in April, the court had observed there were grounds to believe Chandel may have been involved in activities connected to generation, diversion, and possession of proceeds of crime worth several crores. However, Thursday’s bail order came after the ED stated it had no objection to regular bail.

Bail does not amount to acquittal, and the ED investigation in the matter continues.