1. The Enforcement Directorate team attacked during raids in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal.
2. Incident related to an alleged ration distribution scam.
3. Team targeted locations linked to Trinamool leader Shah Jahan Sheikh’s residence in North 24 Parganas district.
Kolkata, Jan 05: A team from the Enforcement Directorate faced an attack on Friday during raids in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam.
The incident occurred in the North 24 Parganas district, where the team was targeting locations linked to Trinamool leader Shah Jahan Sheikh’s residence.
Over 200 locals surrounded the officials and central armed paramilitary forces, vandalizing government vehicles with no immediate reports of injuries.
Ration Distribution Scam Details: Enforcement Directorate raids in West Bengal have been ongoing for months concerning an alleged ration distribution scam. The investigation revealed that nearly 30% of the Public Distribution System (PDS) ration designated for beneficiaries in West Bengal was diverted to the open market.
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The proceeds from the alleged ration pilferage were shared between rice millers and PDS distributors. The probe agency disclosed that rice millers collaborated with certain individuals, including cooperative societies, to open fake bank accounts of farmers.
They pocketed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) intended for paddy growers. The Enforcement Directorate statement mentioned that one key suspect admitted that rice millers earned around Rs 200 per quintal for government-agency-procured grain at MSP, following this practice across the state for years.
On October 14 last year, the agency arrested Bakibur Rahaman, a flour and rice miller, who was sent to judicial custody.
Multiple searches conducted on October 11, 26, and November 4 resulted in the seizure of incriminating material and Rs 1.42 crore.
Additionally, alleged proceeds of crime amounting to Rs. 16.87 crore parked in the bank accounts of shell companies were frozen.
West Bengal minister Jyoti Priyo Mallick was arrested in connection with a money laundering case linked to the scam.
He served as the Food Supplies Minister from 2011 to 2021, during the period when the reported “irregularities” in ration distribution occurred. Mallick has been remanded to ED custody till November 6 by a local court.
