West Bengal Ration Scandal: Court Rejects Bail for Former Minister Jyotipriya Mallick
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Kolkata, Dec 11 (NationPress) A Special PMLA Court in Kolkata ruled against granting bail to Jyotipriya Mallick, the former Minister for Food and Supplies in West Bengal, regarding the significant ration distribution scandal in the state. This decision followed the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) legal arguments about the potential for the ex-minister to sway the investigation if he were released on bail.
When questioned by the special court judge about how Mallick could influence the investigation despite no longer holding ministerial office, the ED counsel argued that he may not be a 'king' anymore, but he remains a 'kingmaker.'
According to the ED counsel, Mallick continues to possess considerable political clout. 'Often, kingmakers wield more power than kings. They are immensely influential... thus, granting bail could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation,' they asserted.
Furthermore, the ED's arguments included allegations that many individuals apprehended in the ration distribution case have identified the former minister as the 'primary architect' of the fraud.
Ultimately, the judge concurred with the ED's reasoning and denied bail. The next scheduled hearing for this case is set for December 21.
Previously, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) counsel had characterized another former West Bengal education minister, Partha Chatterjee, as a 'kingmaker' in a separate cash-for-school job investigation during a bail hearing at the Calcutta High Court.
Recently, ED officials initiated measures to question several Indians based in Dubai to elucidate how the funds from the ration distribution case are being funneled into real estate investments there. The agency has sought cooperation from the External Affairs Ministry to facilitate this inquiry.
