Bengal Ration Scam Unravels! TMC Leader Shankar Adhya Arrested, ED Investigation Underway

Ration Scam West Bengal: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shankar Adhya in connection with an alleged ration distribution fraud. The arrest happened a day after an ED team was ambushed while on its way to raid the home of another TMC leader.

Former Chairman of Bangaon Municipality Faces Detention

Shankar Adhya, the former chairman of the Bangaon municipality, was detained following an intensive search of his property in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district by the ED. His wife, Jyotsna Adhya, claimed her husband was arrested despite working with investigative agency personnel. Protests were held by villagers as central authorities took Shankar Adhya away.

ED Raids in West Bengal

The ED was conducting raids in West Bengal on the homes of Shankar Adhya and another TMC leader, Sahajahan Sheikh, in connection with the suspected ration distribution fraud. According to the investigation agency, over 30% of the Public Distribution System (PDS) ration allocated for West Bengal beneficiaries was diverted to the open market.

Jyotipriyo Mallick Connection

Shankar Adhya is reported to be an aide to Jyotipriyo Mallick, the arrested former food minister and current forest minister. From 2015 until 2020, he served as the municipal chairman of Bangaon. He is currently a member of the TMC district advisory committee. According to sources, the ED discovered his alleged involvement in the purported ration distribution scheme during the probe. They further stated that Jyotipriyo Mallick had taken his name during questioning by the investigation agency.

Money Laundering Probe

Shankar Adhya, according to the ED, was detained for his suspected role in the scheme. According to sources, the TMC leader also owned a rice mill and a foreign currency exchange business in Bangaon. It is being investigated whether he laundered money obtained from the scheme through his firm. On Friday, ED officials were attacked by a mob in Sandeshkali, purportedly by followers of Sahajahan Sheikh, while they were on their way to raid his residence in the suspected ration distribution fraud. During the attack, their vehicles were also vandalised.

Mob Size and Intent

According to the investigation agency, a group of "800-1,000 people" were part in the incident "with the intent to cause death." The incident sparked a political squabble, with Governor CV Ananda Bose declaring it was the state government's job to avoid violence while calling the act "ghastly." West Bengal, he claimed, was not a "banana republic."

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