ED is worried because the state police haven’t taken strong action in the ration corruption investigation, even with important evidence.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has expressed concerns regarding the handling of the ongoing investigation into the widespread ration corruption scandal by the state police. Despite possessing crucial information and evidence, the state police have reportedly not taken decisive action against the individuals accused in this corruption case. In light of this, the ED has submitted a formal petition to the Calcutta High Court, urging the transfer of all cases related to ration corruption from the state police to the Central Investigating Agency (CIA) for a more comprehensive investigation.
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The ED’s investigation into the ration corruption scandal has already seen significant progress with the arrest of key figures, including state minister Jyotipriya Mallick, prominent businessman Bakibul Rahman, and former mayor Shankar Adhya of Bongaon. The ED is also actively seeking Sandeshkhali’s influential leader Shahjahan Sheikh in connection with the scandal. Despite these developments, the state police’s inaction has been a point of contention.
The ED informed the High Court,
“Despite advancing the investigation into ration corruption in the state, the police have refrained from taking any action against the accused. Even though relevant documents and evidence are available, the investigation has been halted.”
The lack of cooperation from the state police has been a significant hurdle for the ED. Despite initiating the investigation based on six FIRs filed between 2016 and 2023, the ED has not received any substantial updates or responses from the state police regarding the progress of these cases. This lack of progress prompted the ED to seek the intervention of the High Court, hoping to expedite the investigation by transferring the cases to the CIA.
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This situation got more complicated when the former mayor, Shankar Adhya, came into focus. In a court hearing at the Alipore Court, there was confusion about a summons from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Shankar’s lawyer pointed out problems with the summons, making people question if it was valid. This has made the investigation into the ration corruption scandal even more confusing.
The arrest of Shankar Adhya has brought to light potential connections to a broader network of illicit financial transactions. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) disclosed that Shankar and his family engaged in more than 90 foreign currency transactions linked to over 20 organizations, indicating a possible association with corruption in the ration scheme. These revelations have given rise to suspicions regarding the depth of the corruption and the magnitude of financial implications.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) remains steadfast in its commitment to uncovering the truth behind the ration corruption scandal. The formal request to transfer the cases to the Central Investigating Agency (CIA) signifies a pivotal step toward ensuring a more exhaustive investigation into the alleged corruption that has tarnished the ration distribution system. As legal proceedings persist, the primary focus remains on holding those culpable accountable and reinstating integrity within the system.
