Bengal PDS Investigation: ED Detains Three Rice Mill Proprietors
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Kolkata, Dec 24 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken into custody three rice mill proprietors in relation to the ration distribution irregularities case in West Bengal on Tuesday.
These three detained rice mill proprietors are set to be presented at a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata later today. Reports indicate that the central investigative agency will request their custody for further interrogation.
For safety reasons, ED officials have opted not to reveal the identities of the three proprietors until they are presented in court and custody is secured.
However, insiders familiar with the situation mentioned that all three detained rice mill proprietors had close ties with the former state Food & Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick, who is currently in judicial custody regarding the ration distribution irregularities.
According to sources, the ED investigation team has gathered specific evidence indicating that these rice mill proprietors were involved in diverting food grains intended for ration shops and selling them in the open market at inflated prices.
It was reported that the ED officials obtained the names of these three rice mill proprietors by questioning Mallick and subsequently conducted raid operations at their respective mill locations.
During these operations, the investigators uncovered several incriminating documents suggesting their involvement in the alleged ration distribution fraud. They were subsequently arrested.
In a recent hearing at the special PMLA court, the ED's legal representative characterized Mallick as the central figure in the entire scandal.
The ED counsel also expressed concerns in court that if bail were granted to Mallick, there would be a significant risk of him attempting to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses in the ongoing case.
