Kolkata
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the West Bengal ration distribution scam, with a focus on the bank accounts of the wife and brother-in-law of the recently arrested Kolkata-based businessman Bakibur Rahman. Rahman’s detention by the central agency officials last week has prompted a thorough scrutiny of the financial activities related to the case.
Sources reveal that the ED has acquired concrete evidence pointing towards the utilization of the said bank accounts in the misappropriation of the alleged scam funds. Documents seized from Rahman’s residence, office, rice-mill, and hotel have highlighted investments exceeding Rs 50 crore in various business entities owned by him.
Additionally, the probe has uncovered overseas assets in Dubai linked to Rahman, including two opulent residential properties estimated at a combined value of no less than Rs 14 crore. This, coupled with the seizure of multiple state government seals from Rahman’s office, further implicates the involvement of senior officials from the state’s food and supplies department.
Notably, the recovered government seals encompass those of the West Bengal Essential Commodities Supply Corporation Limited, chief inspector, district food supply officers, and sub-inspector of the state food and supplies department. ED officials emphasized the likelihood of the active participation of certain department officials, asserting that the presence of numerous official seals in the accused’s possession suggests a collaboration beyond individual involvement.
