ED raids several places in Kolkata in ration case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted raids in several locations in Kolkata, West Bengal, linked to a recently arrested Trinamool leader Shankar Adhya in connection with the ration distribution case.

The four places where the ED conducted search operations included the Salt Lake office of Adhya's Chartered Accountant, who reportedly used to manage the Trinamool leader's accounts. Adhya was arrested on January 5 by the agency that is probing money trail of various companies associated with Adhya and entities dealing in foreign exchange and transfers into foreign accounts, people in the know said. Properties linked to Adhya and his family members are under scanner, people in the know said. Adhya is known to be a close associate of former state food minister Jyoti Priya Mullick, who was also arrested in connection with the alleged public distribution system case last year. Mullick is currently in judicial custody.

Kunal Ghosh, Trinamool Congress spokesperson said, "The central agency can do its work. Trinamool will not comment on the matter. However, this kind of probe should not continue for an indefinite period."