KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday made startling revelations, saying that the magnitude of the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) rip-off in West Bengal is big and its investigation factors to large corruption. The central company said that the investigation carried out to date has unveiled the colossal magnitude of the rip-off, with the proceeds of crime suspected to be between Rs 9,000 – 10,000 Crore. Notably, a considerable quantity, round Rs 2,000 Crore, is suspected to have been illicitly transferred to Dubai, both immediately or by Bangladesh.
“The investigation carried out to date signifies that the magnitude of the rip-off is big, and the proceeds of crime acquired and additional transferred and layered by one suspected individual itself are suspected to be no less than to the tune of Rs 9,000 – 10,000 Crore and out of that, Rs 2000 Crore have been additionally suspected to be transferred to Dubai both immediately or by Bangladesh,” the company mentioned in accordance with ANI.
On the alleged PDS rip-off in West Bengal, the Enforcement Directorate says, “The investigation carried out to date signifies that the magnitude of the rip-off is big, and the proceeds of crime acquired and additional transferred and layered by one suspected individual itself are…
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2024
Trinamool Congress Chief Remanded To ED Custody
Shankar Adhya, a distinguished chief of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), discovered himself within the midst of the alleged ration rip-off in West Bengal. A particular courtroom in Kolkata remanded Adhya to Enforcement Directorate custody for 14 days on Saturday. The arrest befell following searches at properties linked to Adhya and his members of the family.
Allegations Of Widespread Corruption
Throughout the courtroom listening to, the ED asserted that the ration distribution rip-off concerned widespread corruption amounting to no less than Rs 10,000 crore. Shockingly, the probe company revealed that a good portion of this sum, practically Rs 2,000 crore, was siphoned off to Dubai by Adhya’s firm.
The Enforcement Directorate disclosed that Shankar Adhya’s involvement surfaced by a letter from the arrested former Meals Minister, Jyotipriya Mallick, who can also be implicated within the ration corruption case.
Overseas Trade Companies And The Net Of Smuggling
In response to queries from the courtroom, the ED unveiled that as many as 90 international change companies related to Adhya had been recognized. Roughly Rs 2,000 crore was allegedly exchanged and despatched overseas by these companies, primarily located in border areas. The ED raised considerations in courtroom in regards to the potential misuse of those funds, questioning the chance of “anti-national actions.”
Assault On ED After Adhya’s Arrest
Following the arrest of Shankar Adhya, his supporters reportedly tried to impede ED officers from taking him into custody. The state of affairs escalated as supporters, led by girls, tried to impede the officers, even resorting to stone-throwing. The Central Reserve Police Power (CRPF) personnel accompanying the ED officers intervened to carry the state of affairs underneath management.
This incident marked the second assault on the company, paying homage to the one in Sandeshkhali within the neighboring South 24 Parganas district throughout a raid on the residence of TMC chief Sahajahan Sheikh in the identical case. The challenges confronted by the ED spotlight the gravity of the allegations and the tense ambiance surrounding the unfolding investigation.
