Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday launched a marathon search operation across seven locations, including Kolkata, in connection with the ration distribution corruption case in West Bengal.
Sources at the Salt Lake CGO Complex said that the ED officials left for different places with more than 10 vehicles at around 6 am accompanied by the Central forces. Seaches were conducted in Kalyani, Barasat, Kaltara, Joynagar, Medinipur and Nadia.
A search operation was held at the house of a food inspector in Kalyani. This apart, an office and another flat in South Kolkata were also reportedly searched.
The names of several state government officials, food inspectors and ration dealers have been revealed to ED during the investigation, ED sources said.
Prior to this, the ED officials had sought several documents related to the ration scheme from the food department. On the basis of the documents, the whereabouts of several people starting from food inspectors have been found.
Earlier, a businessman from North 24 Parganas, Bakibur Rahman, was arrested by the sleuths of the Central agency but he was released on bail. The Central investigating officers got the name of the former food minister, Jyotipriya Mallik, after interrogating Bakibur. Later Mallik too was arrested and is still lodged in jail.
Investigating officers believe that the ration distribution corruption case is not only linked to political or influential persons but also several high-ranking officials and employees of the food department.
The Central agency has already sought a list of the cancelled and active ration cards in the state from the food department. It is learnt that the search is being done after receiving the data.
Read more
RG Kar Hospital Financial 'Irregularities': ED Conducts Raids at Different Locations in Kolkata
