Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Sep 7: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted searches at seven premises linked to Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Nadimul Haque in Delhi, West Bengal and Jharkhand as part of a money laundering investigation involving Urdu daily Akhbar-e-Mashriq.
The 56-year-old Haque, who is also a journalist and businessman, is a director of Akhbar-E-Mashriq Pvt Ltd, the company that publishes the newspaper.
The ED's Kolkata zonal office conducted searches at locations in Kolkata, Delhi and Ranchi. In Kolkata, officials searched the Akhbar-e-Mashriq office on Darga Road in Park Circus. Central security forces cordoned off the premises, with the main entrance closed during the operation.
A search was also conducted at Haque's government residence in Delhi, which also serves as a temporary TMC office.
The operation began early Monday and was carried out in coordination with security and state police forces. ED officials are examining documentary and digital evidence as well as the financial dealings of entities and individuals connected with the case.
According to ED sources, the investigation relates to allegations concerning the publication and dissemination of material allegedly promoting communal disharmony. The probe also covers allegations of illegal transactions, unaccounted cash dealings and funding from suspected sources.
The ED case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) stems from an FIR registered by the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate.
Financial records and other documents linked to Akhbar-e-Mashriq are being scrutinised as part of the investigation. Besides Kolkata, the newspaper is published from Delhi, Ranchi, Asansol, Siliguri, Bhopal, Lucknow and Srinagar.
Mohammad Nadimul Haque represents West Bengal in the Rajya Sabha as a member of the All India Trinamool Congress. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from St Xavier's College, University of Kolkata.
Before entering politics, Haque was associated with journalism and writing. He was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in May 2012 and is currently serving his third term, which runs from 2024 to 2030. During his parliamentary career, he has also served on several important parliamentary committees.
The ED searches are part of the ongoing investigation, with officials examining the alleged financial irregularities and other aspects of the case.