The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has called trader Barik Biswas to its office in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area for questioning regarding the ration scam investigation in West Bengal. Biswas, who is allegedly linked to former state food minister Jyotipriya Mallick, was previously searched by the ED in August 2024 in connection with the ration corruption case. During the search, Rs 20 lakh and various documents were seized from his rice mill.
Barik Biswas faces accusations of attempting to smuggle rice into Bangladesh, prompting the ED to delve into the smuggling network and associated individuals. His name had surfaced in prior gold and cow smuggling cases, leading to searches at his residence, apartment, and office. The ED aims to extract more details about the ration scam by interrogating Biswas once again.
In a related development, the ED had arrested Jyotipriya Mallick, also known as “Balu,” in October 2023 for his alleged involvement in the widespread corruption related to ration distribution during the COVID-19 lockdown in West Bengal. After spending about 14 months in custody, Mallick was granted bail in January the following year, shortly followed by the release of his associate Anisur, who was also implicated in the case.
