ED searches multiple places in Bengal over NREGA 'scam'

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted simultaneous raids at several locations in various districts of West Bengal and in Kolkata in connection with the alleged corruption related to MGNREGA schemes. This is the first time that ED is conducting raids in connection with the alleged corruption in the MGNREGA schemes. Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court expressed unhappiness over the ED probe into the alleged primary recruitment scam.

The ED conducted searches in Jhargram, Hooghly and Murshidabad districts and also in Kolkata, including at the houses of some state government officials. ED is probing the money trail and fake job cards in connection with the MGNREGA scheme, people in the know said.

The raid continued for more than seven hours, sources said. The ED conducted searches at the residence of a state government official in Salt Lake. Searches were also conducted at the house and office of a businessman in Hooghly district's Chinsurah, sources said. Searches are also being conducted at a property linked to a state government employee in Murshidabad district's Baharampur who was previously posted with the panchayat department, people in the know said.


The ED started the probe after filing an Enforcement Case Information Report on the basis of five FIRs lodged at several police stations in the state, people in the know said.