New Delhi, Jan 9 (FN Bureau) The Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS- ration) scam across West Bengal, suspects that it ranged in between Rs 9,000 – 10,000 crore, of which Rs 2000 crore was seemingly transferred to Dubai either directly or through Bangladesh. “The ED initiated investigation into the PDS Scam based on various FIRs registered by West Bengal Police wherein various private persons were allegedly found in unauthorized possession of PDS ration and involved in bogus procurement of paddy. During ED investigation, it has been revealed that proceeds of crime were generated and shared among various persons by adopting various modus operandi, “ the central probe agency said in a statement. The ED said during the investigation, it was revealed that such persons allegedly laundered the Proceeds of Crime (POC) using the corporate identity of various companies, invested in the acquisition of various immovable properties and also transferred part of said POC to certain companies under the control and beneficial ownership of (former Food Minister) Jyoti Priya Mallick.
“During further investigation, searches were conducted at various Full Fledged Money Changers (FFMC) companies and associated persons on January 5 last and relevant evidence was seized during the search. The investigation carried out so far indicates that the magnitude of the scam is enormous, and the proceeds of crime received and further transferred and layered by one suspected person are suspected to be at least to the tune of Rs. 9,000 – 10,000 crore and out of that, Rs. 2000 Crore were also suspected to be transferred to Dubai either directly or through Bangladesh,” the ED statement added. In this regard, former Bongaon (in North 24 Parganas district) Municipalty Chairman Sankar Addhya (resident of Bongaon), who has owned and controlled many FFMC companies, was arrested and produced before a. Special PMLA Court, Kolkata, which granted him 14 days of ED custody.
During the search at the residence and office premises of Sahjahan Shekh, Convenor of TMC Sandesh Khali, North 24 Parganas on Friday last the, ED teams were attacked and accordingly, a complaint was made to jurisdictional Police for registration of FIR for offences under various sections. A similar incident again happened with the ED team on that day while conducting a search at the residence of Sankar Addhya in Simultala Bongaon, North 24 Paraganas. All the ED team members as well as CRPF personnel were threatened and assaulted by the crowd and obstructed from performing their official duty at around 11-30 PM. In this case, Bongaon police were informed through email at 8:46 AM and thereafter SP Bongaon was contacted on mobile at around 4:00 PM with the request to provide sufficient security to the ED team.