A wave of Enforcement Directorate raids shakes the political landscape

On April 24, 2026, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched coordinated raids across four Indian states—Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha—targeting individuals and entities allegedly linked to the Ranchi RSS office attack that took place in February 2026. The operation, described by senior officials as a “nation‑wide sweep,” has thrust the little‑known Bhatti Network into the national spotlight.

What triggered the multi‑state operation?

• The attack: On February 12, a group of masked assailants threw crude explosives at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office in Ranchi, injuring three staff members and causing significant property damage. The incident sparked outrage among RSS cadres and prompted a swift police investigation.
• Emerging leads: Within weeks, investigators uncovered a digital trail pointing to a loosely‑organized syndicate, colloquially referred to in media reports as the Bhatti Network. Intelligence agencies allege the network facilitated the procurement of explosives and financed the operation through layered money‑laundering channels.
• ED’s mandate: Under the Prevention of Money‑Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED is empowered to seize assets and interrogate suspects involved in the financing of unlawful activities. The agency’s decision to expand the probe beyond Jharkhand reflects the cross‑border nature of the alleged financial transactions.

The raids in detail

State	Key Locations Raided	Assets Seized	Number of Arrests
Jharkhand	RSS office vicinity, two commercial warehouses	₹2.3 crore in cash, forged documents	3
Bihar	Two alleged front companies in Patna	₹1.1 crore, encrypted hard drives	2
West Bengal	A residential complex in Kolkata linked to a suspect	Gold jewellery, ₹75 lakhs	1
Odisha	A logistics hub in Bhubaneswar	Vehicles, ₹50 lakhs in cash	1

The ED spokesperson, Anita Sharma, emphasized that “the raids were based on concrete intelligence and were executed simultaneously to prevent any tampering of evidence.”

Political and legal reverberations

• RSS reaction: The RSS issued a statement condemning the attack as “an assault on our democratic ethos” and called for swift justice. The organization also demanded that the investigation remain free from political interference.
• Opposition’s stance: Leaders of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have raised concerns about the timing of the raids, suggesting they could be leveraged to influence upcoming state elections.
• Legal experts: Constitutional scholars argue that while the ED’s jurisdiction is clear under the PMLA, the agency must ensure due process, especially when high‑profile political entities are involved.

What the Bhatti Network represents

The term Bhatti Network is believed to refer to a loosely‑connected group of individuals who operate under the guise of small‑scale trading firms. Their alleged modus operandi includes:

• Front companies to mask illicit cash flows.
• Use of cryptocurrency mixers to obfuscate transaction trails.
• Recruitment of local youth for low‑level logistical support.

If the ED’s allegations hold, dismantling this network could set a precedent for tackling financially‑driven violent conspiracies in India.

Takeaways for readers

• The raids underscore the growing emphasis on financial forensics in India’s law‑enforcement toolkit.
• Political parties are likely to capitalize on the narrative, either defending the RSS or questioning the ED’s motives.
• The outcome of the investigations could reshape public perception of both the RSS’s security concerns and the ED’s operational reach.

---

The story continues to develop as courts review the seized material and further interrogations are scheduled.

---

Original Reporting & Source: India Today Top Stories