With West Bengal gearing up for the crucial second phase of the Assembly Elections, political tensions have intensified following fresh Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids in Habra, North 24 Parganas, early Saturday morning. Acting on leads in the alleged ration distribution scam, ED officials—accompanied by central paramilitary forces— conducted pre-dawn searches at the residences of multiple rice traders in the area.
The development is particularly significant as Habra is the constituency where former Food Minister Jyotipriya Mallick, currently out on bail in connection with the same case, is contesting as a candidate for the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
According to investigators, the ED first raided the residence of Samir Chanda, a long-time rice trader based in Habra’s Jaygachi area. His name reportedly surfaced during the ongoing probe into the ration corruption case. Searches were also carried out at the home of another trader, Sagar Saha. Officials are examining financial documents and recording statements to trace possible links between these traders and the larger scam network.
The current operation is believed to be tied to a massive wheat smuggling racket dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigators allege that over 5,000 tonnes of wheat—allocated by the Food Corporation of India— were diverted and smuggled into Bangladesh using forged documents. At the time, authorities intercepted over 170 trucks carrying the illegal consignment, with the total market value estimated at around Rs 16 crore. The case initially probed by state police was later taken over by the ED due to its scale and complexity.
The ED suspects that the accused businessmen acted as key intermediaries in exporting the smuggled wheat and may have earned crores through illegal transactions.
Investigators are now probing whether these funds were subsequently laundered through legitimate-looking rice trading operations. Sources indicate that the agency is closely examining procurement chains, pricing mechanisms, and potential links between traders and influential political figures.
The timing of the raids—just days before the April 29 voting in Habra—has added a political dimension to the operation. Analysts suggest that the development could influence voter sentiment in the constituency, where Mallick remains a prominent contender. To avoid any disruption, central forces have cordoned off the premises being searched.
ED officials continue to scrutinise documents and digital records while questioning those involved. As the investigation unfolds, attention remains on whether the raids will uncover new evidence or expose deeper connections within the alleged corruption network—potentially reshaping the political narrative ahead of the next phase of polling.
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