Bengal ration distribution scam: Enforcement Directorate files chargesheet against minister Jyotipriya Mallick

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet in the West Bengal ration distribution scam case, alleging corruption amounting to at least Rs 100 crore.

The chargesheet, filed in a special ED court in Kolkata, names Jyotipriya Mallick, the former food minister and current forest minister of West Bengal, and businessman Bakibur Rahman, both of whom were arrested in October.

The ED has claimed that both accused were directly involved in the scam, and had formed several private companies for money laundering. These companies were established with the sole purpose of laundering substantial amounts of money acquired through the alleged scam, as per the ED.

Furthermore, ED claims that these companies were registered under the names of family members.

The chargesheet also mentions that a significant sum was transferred through these companies.

The ED has frozen Rs 31 crore and is seeking the remainder of funds generated through the scam. The chargesheet also alleges that Mallick personally benefitted by Rs 36 crore, of which Rs 22 crore has been confiscated by the agency.

The ED’s investigation, which includes the statements of 150 witnesses, suggests that the scam continued until September 2023.

Mallick was arrested by the central agency in the early hours of October 27 at his residence in Salt Lake, located on the eastern outskirts of Kolkata.

Presently overseeing the forest portfolio, the minister, who previously managed the food and supplies portfolio from 2011 to 2021, is currently in judicial remand in connection with the case.