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 huge corruption. The central company acknowledged that the investigation carried out thus far 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 means of Bangladesh.
“The investigation carried out thus far signifies that the magnitude of the rip-off is big, and the proceeds of crime obtained and additional transferred and layered by one suspected particular person itself are suspected to be a minimum of 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 means of Bangladesh,” the company mentioned in line with ANI.
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On the alleged PDS rip-off in West Bengal, the Enforcement Directorate says, “The investigation carried out thus far signifies that the magnitude of the rip-off is big, and the proceeds of crime obtained and additional transferred and layered by one suspected particular person itself are…
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2024
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Trinamool Congress Leader 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 court docket in Kolkata remanded Adhya to Enforcement Directorate custody for 14 days on Saturday. The arrest came about following searches at properties linked to Adhya and his members of the family.
Allegations Of Widespread Corruption
During the court docket listening to, the ED asserted that the ration distribution rip-off concerned widespread corruption amounting to a minimum of Rs 10,000 crore. Shockingly, the probe company revealed that a good portion of this sum, almost Rs 2,000 crore, was siphoned off to Dubai by means of Adhya’s firm.
The Enforcement Directorate disclosed that Shankar Adhya’s involvement surfaced by means of a letter from the arrested former Food Minister, Jyotipriya Mallick, who can be implicated within the ration corruption case.
Foreign Exchange Firms And The Web Of Smuggling
In response to queries from the court docket, the ED unveiled that as many as 90 international alternate companies linked to Adhya had been recognized. Approximately Rs 2,000 crore was allegedly exchanged and despatched overseas by means of these companies, primarily located in border areas. The ED raised issues in court docket concerning the potential misuse of those funds, questioning the chance of “anti-national activities.”
Attack On ED After Adhya’s Arrest
Following the arrest of Shankar Adhya, his supporters reportedly tried to hinder 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 Force (CRPF) personnel accompanying the ED officers intervened to carry the state of affairs below 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.
