The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted simultaneous searches in West Bengal as part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged "organised" human trafficking and prostitution ring being operated across certain bars and restaurants, officials reported.
At least eight premises in Bidhannagar (North 24 Parganas district), Kolkata, and Siliguri were raided by the federal probe agency under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they confirmed.
The money laundering case originates from multiple FIRs and charge sheets filed by the state police against the accused, identified as Jagjit Singh, Ajmal Siddiqui, Bishnu Mundra, and others.
According to officials, the accused allegedly "exploited" vulnerable women under false employment promises and coerced them into prostitution to generate substantial "illicit" funds.
These funds, acquired in cash and valued at crores of rupees, were reportedly laundered through multiple companies under the control of the accused, the officials alleged.
Also read: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee loses Rs 55 Lakh to cyber fraud
Follow us
