The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Trinamool Congress MP Nusrat Jahan in connection with a money laundering probe linked to an alleged ration scam. She has been asked to appear before the ED’s Kolkata Zonal Office on April 22, officials said.
The ED initiated its investigation based on a West Bengal Police FIR registered at Basirhat Police Station on October 23, 2020, following a complaint by the Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Ghojadanga Land Customs Station. The case pertains to the alleged large-scale diversion of Public Distribution System (PDS) wheat meant for welfare schemes.
According to the FIR, offences were registered under Sections 379, 411 and 120B of the IPC and provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. It was alleged that PDS wheat was illegally procured, repacked by reversing gunny bags bearing government and Food Corporation of India markings, and exported to Bangladesh through the Ghojadanga LCS, causing losses to the public exchequer.
During the police investigation, Niranjan Chandra Saha, Sahabuddin Sk and Sahidur Rahaman were arrested. A charge sheet was later filed against the accused under relevant provisions of the IPC and the Essential Commodities Act.
Investigators found an organised network involving exporters, wholesalers, suppliers, transporters and agents operating across multiple districts, with inter-state links.
Around 5,101.25 metric tonnes of PDS wheat loaded in about 175 trucks were intercepted and seized from various locations. Officials also seized invoices, challans, bills and transport documents, many of which were found to be fabricated or incomplete.
The ED said its probe revealed a systematic modus operandi in which wheat meant for welfare beneficiaries was diverted through unauthorised channels in collusion with various intermediaries. The grain was repacked to conceal its origin and then sold in the open market or exported. Searches conducted by the agency led to the seizure of Rs 30.9 lakh in cash, along with documents and digital evidence linked to alleged money laundering.
Further investigation is underway, officials said.
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