I-PAC's Vinesh Chandel Sent to Judicial Custody in Coal Scam Case

A Delhi court has ordered the 14-day judicial custody of Vinesh Chandel, co-founder and director of political consultancy firm I-PAC, in connection with a money laundering case tied to a suspected coal scam in West Bengal. The order follows an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into Chandel, which revealed his alleged role in financial misconduct.

During a court hearing, Additional Sessions Judge Deepti Devesh approved the ED's request for Chandel's continued custody. The court noted sufficient evidence suggesting Chandel's participation in generating, diverting, and holding illegal funds, confirmed through his 10-day interrogation period.

Chandel, who holds a law degree and owns a 33 percent stake in I-PAC, was initially taken into custody by the ED on April 13, just before the West Bengal Assembly elections. Authorities suspect a significant sum of money was involved in the alleged crime.

(With inputs from agencies.)