ED Conducts Simultaneous Raids in West Bengal Ration Scam
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate launched extensive raids across three locations in West Bengal related to a significant ration distribution scam. The investigations target local businessmen and cooperative societies involved in fraudulent activities.
Key Takeaways
- ED raids three locations in West Bengal.
- Focus on local businessmen linked to ration distribution scandal.
- Investigation reveals two profit avenues for cooperatives.
- Former minister Jyotipriya Mallick arrested and recently released on bail.
- Scam estimated to exceed Rs 10,000 crore.
Kolkata, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) was engaged in extensive and concurrent raid and search operations at three distinct sites across West Bengal related to the multi-crore ration distribution scandal.
The targeted locations include Shyampur and Jagatballavpur in Howrah district and Santoshpur in South 24 Parganas district.
Each ED team is accompanied by personnel from the Central Armed Forces.
According to sources, one of the sites is the home of a local entrepreneur who oversees a cooperative society responsible for acquiring food grains from farmers.
During the investigation, the ED has scrutinized several cooperatives that profited in two ways. The first was by obtaining food grains from farmers at prices below the minimum support price.
The second profit avenue involved selling a portion of the food grains acquired from farmers at inflated prices in open markets instead of supplying them to the state food and supplies department for distribution via the public distribution system.
The other two locations, where searches have been ongoing since Wednesday morning, are the residences of two local businessmen with reported ties to the key figures in the ration distribution issue.
Former State Food & Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick, who was arrested by ED officials in October 2023 concerning the ration distribution case, has recently been granted bail.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has placed him in two committees of the West Bengal Assembly. Concurrently, the Chief Minister asserted that Mallick was a “victim” of a conspiracy and was wrongfully implicated by the central agency.
The ED has asserted that the scam's value exceeds Rs 10,000 crore, with the 'proceeds of crime' allegedly laundered to Dubai and other international locations by the principal accused, including Jyoti Priya Mallick.
