Enforcement Directorate Launches Raids in West Bengal Amid PDS Scam Investigation

Raids Targeting Alleged PDS Scam

Kolkata: On Saturday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a series of raids across various locations in West Bengal, which is gearing up for elections, as part of an investigation into a suspected Public Distribution System (PDS) scam, according to officials.

The agency targeted approximately nine sites belonging to suppliers and exporters in Kolkata, Burdwan, and Habra, including the premises of Niranjan Chandra Saha.

These operations are being executed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Previously, the ED had also carried out raids related to this case.

West Bengal is set to hold the second phase of its assembly elections on April 29, following the first phase that took place on April 23.

The money laundering investigation originated from an FIR filed in October 2020 by the Basirhat police, prompted by a complaint from a deputy customs commissioner at the Ghojadanga land customs station. The complaint alleged significant diversion of PDS wheat intended for welfare programs.

The wheat was allegedly acquired at reduced prices through unauthorized means, involving collusion among suppliers, licensed distributors, dealers, and middlemen.

The ED claims that substantial amounts of wheat were illicitly diverted from the supply chain and stored at various locations.

To disguise its origins, the accused reportedly removed or altered the original gunny bags marked with Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state government labels, refilling them to misrepresent the PDS wheat as legitimate stock for sale in the open market or for export.

In connection with this case, the ED has arrested former West Bengal food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick along with several others.