The Calcutta High Court Temporarily Halts Police Probe into Suspected Ration Scam Until March 5, Orders Submission of Case Diary
Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has vocally criticized the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids across West Bengal, labeling them as acts of “vendetta politics” and strategies by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to shift public focus from the TMC’s protest for the settlement of West Bengal’s financial dues. The ED’s operations began early Tuesday, targeting several locations, including the homes of state officials, as part of an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
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TMC spokesperson Shashi Panja condemned the raids, suggesting they were set up to overshadow the TMC’s peaceful demonstration aimed at urging the central government to release the state’s pending funds. “This is a clear example of vendetta politics,” Panja stated, emphasizing the party’s stance that the actions were politically motivated to detract from their ongoing dharna (sit-in protest).
In other words, the West Bengal BJP has dismissed the TMC’s accusations as baseless. BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya countered, highlighting the TMC’s alleged corruption issues. “The reality is that the TMC is deeply mired in corruption, with nearly every leader facing corruption allegations,” Bhattacharya remarked, pointing to the arrests of senior TMC leaders Partha Chatterjee, Jyotipriyo Mallick, and Anubrata Mondal by central agencies in various corruption cases.
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The backdrop to these raids includes recent investigations by central agencies into recruitment processes in municipalities, which have seen searches at the residences of key TMC figures, including Food and Supplies Minister Rathin Ghosh and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim.
The Central Agency Raises Concerns Over the potential compromise of FIRs by State to Undermine ED’s Investigation Efforts
“The Central Agency has voiced concerns that the State might manipulate its FIRs, potentially weakening the ED’s ongoing investigation. Despite the State having filed chargesheets in five cases and a final report in another, the agency highlighted inadequate probing of the six FIRs, especially considering the involvement of politically influential figures in the scam. Consequently, the ED has proposed transferring the investigation to the CBI for a more thorough examination.”
The ED Investigates Alleged ₹10,000 Crore Scam, Highlights International Money Laundering Concerns.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its scrutiny over an alleged scam involving former state Food and Supplies Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick, probing financial irregularities estimated at ₹10,000 crore, with ₹2,000 crore allegedly funneled abroad through illicit channels. Mallick, who served from 2011 to 2021, is under arrest as part of the investigation.
In its legal proceedings, the ED disclosed the initiation of an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) linked to six First Information Reports (FIRs) across various districts, including Kolkata. These FIRs, previously or currently investigated by state police, are believed to have not been thoroughly investigated, despite the conclusion of five with charge-sheets and one with a final report.
The agency also highlighted the existence of additional cases across West Bengal, requesting detailed information from the state government. Citing the involvement of high-profile individuals, the ED advocated for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe to ensure a comprehensive investigation.
In response, the state’s legal representation argued that the submission of charge-sheets in five of the six cases underscores the state’s commitment to diligently pursuing the investigations, countering the ED’s request for a CBI intervention.
Amidst this political turmoil, the TMC has been actively staging a dharna near Dr. BR Ambedkar’s statue on Red Road in central Kolkata. This protest, which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participated in on February 2 and 3, aims to draw attention to the demand for the immediate release of West Bengal’s dues by the Centre. The TMC plans to continue this demonstration until February 13, showcasing their resolve to fight for the state’s rights and financial entitlements.
This recent scenario in West Bengal highlights the intricate dance of politics, where allegations of corruption, investigations by central agencies, and public demonstrations converge, reflecting the ongoing tensions between the state’s ruling party and the central government.
CASE TITLE: ED Vs. State of West Bengal
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