Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 25: The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday conducted raids at multiple locations in poll-bound West Bengal as part of its ongoing money laundering investigation into the alleged public distribution system (PDS) scam.

Officials said searches were carried out at around nine premises linked to suppliers and exporters in Kolkata, Burdwan and Habra, including locations associated with Niranjan Chandra Saha.

The agency also raided the residence of businessman Partha Sarathi in North 24 Parganas in connection with the case.

The action is being conducted under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, officials said.

The case relates to alleged large-scale diversion of subsidised wheat meant for welfare schemes under the PDS.

According to investigators, the wheat was allegedly procured through unauthorised channels in collusion with suppliers, distributors, dealers and middlemen, and later sold in the open market or routed for export.

The Enforcement Directorate has alleged attempts were made to conceal the origin of the wheat by removing or reversing markings on gunny bags belonging to the Food Corporation of India and the state government before repackaging the grain as legitimate stock.

The probe originates from an FIR lodged by Basirhat police in October 2020 based on a complaint by a customs official at the Ghojadanga land customs station.

The agency has previously arrested several persons in the case, including former West Bengal food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick.

The raids come ahead of the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for April 29, with the first phase of polling having been held on April 23.