Bengal Ration Scam: Court Authorizes ED to Obtain Former Minister's Handwriting Samples
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has been authorized to obtain handwriting samples from former West Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick as part of an ongoing investigation into significant ration distribution fraud in the state.
Key Takeaways
- ED allowed to collect handwriting samples of former minister.
- Mallick spent almost two years in judicial custody.
- Letter to daughter intercepted by CAPF.
- ED suspects Mallick may deny authorship of the letter.
- Questions raised on access to writing materials.
Kolkata, April 21 (NationPress) A special court in Kolkata granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) permission on Monday to collect handwriting samples from former West Bengal food and supplies minister Jyotipriya Mallick as part of the investigation into the large-scale ration distribution irregularities case in the state.
After spending nearly two years in judicial custody following his arrest by ED officials related to the ration distribution scandal, Mallick was recently released on bail. During his hospitalization while in custody, he attempted to send a letter to his daughter, which was intercepted by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel tasked with guarding him.
The ED claims that the letter contained important financial instructions related to Mallick. They now fear he may dispute authorship of the letter.
Consequently, ED officials sought court approval to collect the handwriting samples of the former minister to compare them with the handwriting in the intercepted letter. The court granted this request on Monday.
In 2023, CAPF personnel thwarted Mallick's alleged attempts to send the letter to his daughter. They confiscated the letter and turned it over to the ED.
Questions arose regarding how Mallick, an under-trial prisoner, managed to acquire paper and pen to write the letter without the necessary permissions.
An insider from the ED revealed that following the incident, Mallick was interrogated and admitted to writing the letter. However, officials are concerned he may later deny this, which is why they insisted on obtaining his handwriting samples for comparison.
