ED says WB PDS 'scam' enormous, accuses state police of pressing lighter charges in Sandeshkhali attack FIR

The row over the attacks on ED teams in West Bengal escalated on Monday with the federal agency saying that the state police registered an FIR only under bailable sections in the January 5 Sandeshkhali incident, while no details were given to it in the Bongaon assault case.

The ED also claimed that the magnitude of the PDS “scam” which it was investigating was “enormous” and proceeds of crime transferred by a suspect amount to Rs 9,000-10,000 crore, out of which Rs 2,000 crore are “suspected to be transferred to Dubai either directly or through Bangladesh”.

The money laundering investigation of the agency pertains to alleged irregularities in the public distribution system (PDS) including bogus procurement of paddy in West Bengal, where the ED last year arrested minister and Trinamool Congress leader Jyotipriya Mallick and his aide Bakibur Rahaman.