Ration scam case: ED raids residences of West Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick, his PA
It has been alleged that there were several irregularities in the public distribution system and massive corruption in the distribution of food grains in the state during the Covid-19 lockdown.
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The ED is investigating Mallick’s links to businessman Bakibur Rahman, who was recently arrested in the case, sources said. (Express Photo) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted search operations at West Bengal Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick’s residence and seven other locations in connection with a case related to alleged corruption in ration distribution. Mallick was the former West Bengal food minister.
The ED raids and questioning of Mallick stretched to Thursday midnight. The central probe agency is investigating Mallick’s links to businessman Bakibur Rahman, who was recently arrested in the case, sources said. The ED also searched the residence of Mallick’s assistant Amit Dey in Nagerbazar in the North 24 Paraganas district. ED officials reached Mallick’s residence in BC block in Kolkata’s Salt Lake early on Thursday. Officials also went to the minister’s flats in Nagerbazar – one in the Bhagwati Park area and the other on Swami Vivekananda Road – but both were locked.
Rahman was arrested last week following an ED raid at his flat in Kaikhali that lasted more than 53 hours. More than 100 documents with stamps of government offices were found in his flat. Rahman owns several hotels, resorts and bars besides his rice mill business. ED sources said that investments of more than Rs 50 crore were made in his companies.
It has been alleged that there were several irregularities in the public distribution system and massive corruption in the distribution of food grains in the state during the Covid-19 lockdown.
West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had earlier alleged that Rahman was operating with the help of senior TMC leaders and ministers. “Rahman is a key player in the siphoning of food grains. This scam reached a new height during the pandemic. Food grains were stolen even from the quota allotted for mid-day meals served to school children,” Chowdhury said.
“They are tumbling down ghee bottles, oil bottles, taking pictures of sarees, cosmetics in the name of raids… My question is why a single BJP leader’s house has not been raided? Why a single BJP dacoit house has not been raided?… The LS election is due in five months. Election in five states is going on. Now, the house of the son of a CM is raided… We do not believe in political revenge. I respect the constitutional chair. So I am silent,” Mamata said without naming PM Narendra Modi.
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