New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday granted regular bail to Vinesh Chandel, the co-founder and director of political consultancy firm I-PAC, in connection with a high-profile money laundering investigation. The case, which is linked to an alleged multi-crore coal smuggling scam in West Bengal, saw a significant shift in proceedings as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chose not to oppose the bail application. Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal of the Patiala House Courts presided over the hearing, noting the federal agency’s stance before allowing the petition. While the detailed judicial order is currently awaited, the court has already imposed several stringent conditions on Chandel to ensure his continued cooperation with the ongoing probe.
The legal relief comes after Chandel was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate on April 13 following an intense round of questioning. Shortly thereafter, on April 14, the court had authorized a 10-day period of custodial interrogation, during which investigators sought to uncover Chandel’s alleged role in the generation and diversion of proceeds of crime. At the time, the agency argued there were substantial reasons to believe the I-PAC director was actively involved in the financial processes connected to the scam. Having spent over two weeks in custody, including a period of judicial remand, Chandel’s release marks a pivotal moment in the legal battle surrounding the consultancy firm’s leadership.
Beyond this legal development, the political climate in West Bengal remains charged as the 2026 Assembly elections draw to a close. High-stakes polling in the Bhabanipur constituency reportedly reached a significant 86 per cent turnout, signalling a fierce prestige war for the seat currently held by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Local reports from regions like Ballygunge compared the heightened security and atmosphere to that of a conflict zone, even as the state as a whole recorded a historic voter turnout exceeding 91 per cent. While the final results are still too close to call in West Bengal, early exit polls suggest clear leads for incumbent governments in three other states, though the official counting is set for early May.
National security and institutional shifts are also dominating the headlines this week. The Indian military community is mourning the loss of Lieutenant General Depinder Singh, the former commander of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka and military assistant to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who passed away at the age of 96. Simultaneously, the federal government is drafting a new National Employment Policy to address the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the domestic job market. In a move toward cultural representation, the NCERT has updated its physical education curriculum to include traditional Indian sports like Gatka and Mallakhamb, ensuring these heritage practices are recognized within the formal education system.
