Bengal ration scam: ED raids several places in Sandeshkhali

Kolkata: ED on Thursday raided several places in Sandeshkhali in connection with the ration distribution scam in West Bengal. Apart from the ration distribution case, a Sandeshkhali-based unit involved in export of fish products is also on the radar of the central agency, sources said. The owner of this unit is Sheikh Shahjahan.

In this case, ED officers reached the fish market of Dhamkhali in Sandeshkhali amidst heavy security arrangements of CAPF officers. A small team of ED officials is at the residence of Naseeruddin Mollah, a partner in the ownership of the fish market. The market where the raid and search operation is underway is popular as a center for wholesale trade of shrimp.

Naseeruddin Mollah, also an active associate in the fish export business of Sheikh Shahjahan, is an accused in the ration distribution case as well as the attack on ED and CAPF personnel in Sandeshkhali on January 5. ED’s current raids and search operation is based on specific inputs received by their officers that a major part of the ill-gotten gains in the ration distribution case was invested in fish-trading businesses owned by Shahjahan.

Shahjahan will be produced in the District Court in the case of attacking ED and CAPF officers, from where he will be sent to custody.