ED Team Attacked by 300-Strong Mob in West Bengal During Raid on TMC Leader’s House; ED Seizes 5 Crore Cash, 300 Cartridges, and Rifle in Haryana
Violent Attack on ED Team in West Bengal During Raids on Ration Scam
In a shocking incident in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, a team of around 250-300 people attacked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during raids related to a ration scam. According to reports, the ED team, led by top official Shahjahan Sheikh, faced violence as they reached the residence of the leader. The mob, numbering between 200 to 300 individuals, surrounded the ED officials and vandalized their vehicles.
The situation escalated, with the crowd reportedly breaking the glass of the officials’ vehicles. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far. The incident created chaos as the angry mob targeted the ED team, and media personnel were also subjected to violence during the confrontation. The ED team, including Shahjahan Sheikh, managed to save themselves by seeking refuge amidst the intense situation.
The attack occurred while the ED team was conducting operations against a ration scam in 24 districts, particularly at the residence of Shahjahan Sheikh. The violence erupted when the mob turned hostile towards the officials, resulting in damage to their vehicles and equipment. The incident reflects the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies during high-profile operations in certain regions.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been actively pursuing investigations into the alleged ration distribution scam in West Bengal for several months. Recently, a significant development unfolded as ED officials faced violent attacks during a raid in Sandeshkhali. The incident shed light on the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in addressing corruption in public distribution systems (PDS).
The ration distribution scam involves approximately 30% of the public distribution system in West Bengal, where ration meant for the needy is allegedly being sold in the market. The ED’s investigation revealed that after selling the ration, the proceeds are being transferred between the ration shop owners and PDS distributors.
In a recent disclosure, ED highlighted that some ration distributors, including cooperative societies and certain individuals, colluded with farmers to open fake bank accounts and availed benefits under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme. The distributors reportedly earned profits ranging from Rs. 200 to a significant amount per quintal.
This revelation comes in the wake of previous ED actions, where raids were conducted at the residence of West Bengal’s minister Jyoti Priya Mallick in connection to the ration distribution case. It is worth noting that Mallick was the Food Minister before becoming the Forest Minister.
Before this, the ED had already exposed the involvement of rice mill owners in fraudulent practices, such as opening duplicate bank accounts for farmers and diverting MSP funds. The agency has been actively pursuing those involved in the alleged scam, bringing the complexities of PDS corruption to the forefront.
Recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders have unveiled a web of corruption, triggering violence in West Bengal. The investigating agency has intensified its scrutiny on Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, along with other key TMC figures, in connection with alleged corrupt practices.
The ED’s investigations also extend to Partha Chatterjee, former Education Minister of West Bengal, and his aide Arpita Mukherjee, who are facing charges related to corruption in the 2022 teacher recruitment case. The ED has been actively pursuing cases related to corruption in public service appointments.
On Friday (January 5), violence erupted as locals attacked the ED team during a raid at the residence of Shankar Adhikari, former chairman of the Bongaon Municipality in West Bengal. The mob also vandalized vehicles, including those of the ED officials and Central Reserve Police Force personnel accompanying them.
Sukanta Majumdar, BJP’s West Bengal unit chief, commented on the situation, stating that these allegations of corruption against TMC leaders are not surprising. He emphasized that the ED’s actions are part of the agency’s routine investigations into corruption charges. The violence against the ED team highlights the tense atmosphere surrounding the agency’s efforts to combat corruption in the state.
In another development, the ED has recovered a substantial amount of undisclosed wealth from Dilbag Singh, a former INLD legislator from Haryana, and his associates in a recent raid. The recovery includes Rs. 5 crores in cash and significant quantities of gold biscuits, foreign liquor bottles, foreign-made luxury vehicles, and illegal foreign-made rifles. This operation in Haryana comes after the ED traced a recovery of Rs. 500 million from undisclosed locations linked to Dilbag Singh earlier.
These developments underscore the ED’s commitment to exposing corruption and recovering illicit wealth, regardless of political affiliations, and the challenges it faces in dealing with resistance and violence during its operations.
