ED has seized the diary in the raid. (representative image)
ED has got a big success in the West Bengal ration scam. During the raid, ED has found an important red diary related to this scam, in which the names of people associated with the ration scam are written in code words. During the raid at the premises of former minister Jyotipriya Malik, ED found a maroon colored diary. The complete account of the scam is also recorded in this diary. ED has confiscated this diary.
Not only this, the diary contains complete information about cash and receipts in a sequential manner. According to ED sources, during the investigation, three shell companies of Bakibur Rehman were found, in which there were dummy directors and through which the purchase and sale of ration was being done. These three companies are named Hanuman Realcon Private Limited, Gracious Innovative Private Limited and Gracious Creation Private Limited. More than Rs 20 crores came into these three companies illegally
money was going to the minister
Bakibur Rahman told that the money of these companies was going to Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Malik in the form of loan and he is its beneficiary, because the loan was not taken back. Further investigation in this regard revealed that the first directors and shareholders of the three companies were Jyotipriya Mallick’s wife Manideepa Mallick and her daughter Priyadarshini Mallick. Money was deposited in these companies in the name of bogus share premium and profits from grain trading. Not only this, more than Rs 20 crore from these companies went into the bank account of Bakibur Rahman’s brother-in-law.
Rs 16 crore seized
During the raid on October 26, Rs 16 crore was seized. During the raid, ED recovered the stamps of these companies from Jyotipriya Malik’s house. Statements of those working in his house were recorded. He also told that there are people from Malik’s family as directors in these companies. During the raid, a number with the name MIC was found written on a person, to whom a payment of Rs 68 lakh was shown. He was actually the Minister in Charge, who was actually the Food and Supplies Minister. This money was given to the minister at the behest of Bakibur Rehman.
Book flight tickets
Evidence was also found that Bakipur Rehman had booked flight tickets for Malik and his family. During further investigation, it was also revealed that Rs 6.03 crore was deposited in the IDBI bank account of Monadeepa Malik during November 2016 to March 2017. During November 2016, Rs 3.79 crore was deposited in the IDBI bank account of Priyadarshini Malik. The affidavit filed by Jyotipriya Malik in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections on 4 April 2016. In that, only 45 thousand rupees were shown in his wife’s account, whereas in the very next year more than 6 crore rupees came into his account.
Who is Baluda, name is recorded in the diary
During the raid at the premises of Jyotipriya Malik, ED found a maroon colored diary, which contains complete information about the money and receipts related to the embezzlement. In this diary, the name of MIC Jyotipriya Malik is recorded as ‘Baluda’. Also, names of three companies have been mentioned in the diary. It contained the name of NPG and information about the transaction.
It is recorded in the diary how the cash was found.
It is written in the diary that how ‘Baluda’ i.e. MIC Shri got the cash which was deposited in Jyotipriya Malik and his three companies. Which were earlier known as Sharda Arts Private Limited (Gracious Creation Private Limited), Sharda Films Private Limited (Gracious Innovative Private Limited) and Hanuman Realcon Private Limited.
When was the scam case registered?
West Bengal Police registered several cases regarding this scam from 22 February 2020 to 2022. PDS ration was sold illegally and many of its distributors were arrested. These rations were to be supplied through the West Bengal Public Distribution System under the Public Distribution Scheme. The government had given the responsibility of ration supply to NPG Rice Mills Private Limited, whose director was Bakibur Rahman. During the raid, a diary was found from a person’s house which contained complete information about buying and selling. The person told that he was illegally buying and selling PDS ration for the last 8-10 years.
Ration was sold in the market
During investigation it was also found that a person has a license to sell PDS ration, but he sells this ration in the open market. This entire ration was coming from NPG Rice Mills Private Limited, which was being sold illegally in the open market with the connivance of the mill owner. The floor manager said in his statement that he used to supply 20-40 percent less ration to government distributors and this ration was going to private shopkeepers. As proof, several registers were made in which there was complete information about payments and such distributors. .
More than 100 stamps recovered
In its raid, ED recovered more than 100 stamps of different departments of West Bengal government. Accused Bakibur Rehman admitted that he has been engaged in this racket for many years. Bakibar Rehman was arrested on 14 October 2023. Rehman is considered very close to Jyotipriya Malik.
