Bengal Ration Scam: ED Arrests Trinamool Congress Leader Shankar Adhya

Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shankar Adhya in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam. This arrest followed a previous incident where an ED team, en route to conduct a raid at another TMC leader's residence, faced an attack.

Shankar Adhya, the ex-chairman of Bangaon municipality, was taken into custody after an extensive search carried out by the ED at properties associated with him in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. His wife, Jyotsna Adhya, asserted that despite her husband's cooperation with the investigative officials during the inquiry, he was arrested.

Shankar Adhya's arrest sparked protests in the city.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at the properties of Shankar Adhya and another TMC leader, Sahajahan Sheikh, in West Bengal concerning an alleged ration distribution scam. The probe agency claimed that approximately 30% of the ration designated for beneficiaries under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in West Bengal was diverted to the open market.

During the events on Friday, ED officials faced an attack by a crowd purportedly comprising Sahajahan Sheikh's supporters in Sandeshkali while en route to raid his residence linked to the alleged ration distribution scam. The mob also damaged their vehicles in the assault.

According to the investigative agency, a group of "800-1,000 people" orchestrated the attack, purportedly aiming to cause severe harm or death.