National Desk, 5th Jan: In a startling incident on January 5, a team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting raids at the residence of Trinamool Congress leader Shah Jahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, encountered a violent attack. The ED team, amidst an ongoing investigation into an alleged ration distribution scam, was met with over 200 locals who created a hostile environment by surrounding officials and vandalizing government vehicles. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries in the attack.
The ED’s raids were a part of their sustained efforts to uncover details of a ration distribution scam that has plagued West Bengal for months. The investigation has revealed that nearly 30% of the Public Distribution System (PDS) ration, intended for beneficiaries, was being diverted to the open market.
The modus operandi of the scam involved rice millers opening fake bank accounts of farmers in collusion with certain individuals and cooperative societies. This illicit operation allowed them to pocket the Minimum Support Price (MSP) meant for paddy growers. The Enforcement Directorate, in a statement, disclosed that several rice millers across the state had been involved in such fraudulent practices for years.
In a significant breakthrough, the agency had previously arrested Bakibur Rahaman, a key player in the scam, on October 14 of the previous year. Multiple searches conducted on October 11, 26, and November 4 resulted in the seizure of incriminating material and Rs 1.42 crore. Furthermore, the ED froze alleged proceeds of crime amounting to Rs. 16.87 crore parked in the bank accounts of shell companies.
The investigation also led to the arrest of West Bengal minister Jyoti Priyo Mallick in connection with money laundering linked to the scam. Mallick, who served as the Food Supplies Minister from 2011 to 2021 – a period during which the irregularities reportedly occurred – has been remanded to ED custody till November 6 by a local court.
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