After day long raids, Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick arrested by ED in connection with ‘ration scam’; “I am a victim of a deep conspiracy”, says minister

West Bengal Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate early on Friday morning in connection with the alleged irregularities in ration distribution when he was the Food and Supplies minister in the Mamata Banerjee cabinet. He was questioned by ED for over 20 hours on Thursday before being shown arrested in the wee hours of Friday morning, around 3.23am. ED officials reached the residence of Mallick early on Thursday, two days after Durga Puja got over.

“I am a victim of deep conspiracy” Mallick said while being escorted inside the ED office in Kolkata.

On Thursday total eight residences including that of Jyotipriya Mallick and his associates were raided in connection with the case. ED had recently arrested Bakibur Rehman in connection with the alleged ‘ration scam’. The agency is investigating possible inks between Mallick and businessman Rehman.

Rahman’s flat in Kaikhali was raided by ED last week that had lasted for over 50 hours. Agency officials had recovered “several incriminating documents” with stamps of government offices from his flat. Rahman is a businessman who owns several hotels, resorts and bars besides a rice mill business.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday had come out in support of Jyotipriya Mallick and called the raids at his residence “vendetta politics”. She had even cast aspersions that Mallick who is suffering from chronic ailments might not survive “ED torture” and that she would take action against BJP and ED if something happened to Mallick.

“When has ED raided a single residence of a BJP leader. This is BJP’s malafide and dirty ideas to harass and suppress the opposition. Sultan Ahmed, my former MP was summoned by CBI and soon after that he died. You can find out how they coerce people to give names and even hit at private parts. IF something happens to Jyotipriya the we will file FIR against BJP and ED”, said Mamata Banerjee on Thursday.

Mallick is another minister from Mamata Banerjee cabinet to be arrested after Partha Chatterjee, 4th so far since 2021 state assembly elections. Partha Chatterjee was arrested by ED on July 23, 22 in connection with ‘recruitment scam’, in a similar manner after day long raids and examination and then shown arrested early the following morning.