The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday has filed a prosecution complaint against West Bengal Minister Jyotipriya Mallick and NPG Rice Mill owner Bakibur Rahaman in a PMLA case related to the alleged syphoning of PDS ration to the open market, mixing of wheat flour in fresh flour and bogus paddy procurement.
The prosecution complaint was filed before the Special PMLA Court, Kolkata. In the stated complaint, a prayer has been made for the confiscation of properties worth Rs 32.44 crore that are allegedly acquired and derived from the Proceeds of Crime, and include 101 immovable properties and balance in many bank accounts.
The Court took cognizance of the prosecution’s complaint on December 12.
The ED initiated an investigation based on various FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police, in which various private persons were allegedly found in unauthorised possession of PDS rations and involved in bogus procurement of paddy.
During the ED investigation, 3 important modus operandi were detected with respect to the alleged generation of Proceeds of Crime related to the PDS scam.
NPG Rice Mill Private Limited allegedly syphoned off the PDS wheat flour in collusion with PDS distributors, PDS Dealers and other persons, thereby causing huge gains to themselves and corresponding losses to government funds and intended beneficiaries of the PDS Scheme.
As per the evidence collected, approximately 25.55% of the total wheat flour required to be delivered to the PDS distributors was syphoned off.
Furthermore, it was also found that NPG Rice Mill Private Limited was buying back the wheat flour delivered to many dealers through various middlemen or agents and was mixing the same with fresh PDS atta and accordingly, the corresponding quantity of wheat was being allegedly syphoned off, thereby generating proceeds of crime. This modus operandi not only generated proceeds of crime but also affected the quality of the wheat flour delivered.
