Arrested bizman in Bengal ration case accessed state govt log-ins, passwords

ED seized multiple state government seals, all attached to the Food & Supplies Department, from different offices of the accused Bakibur Rahaman

PGurus Newsdesk

November 20, 2023

ED seized multiple state government seals, all attached to the Food & Supplies Department, from different offices of the accused Bakibur Rahaman

Bengal Ration case: ED baffled how arrested Bakibur Rahaman accessed state govt log-ins, passwords

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials are baffled as to how a businessman arrested in connection to a multi-crore ration distribution scam in West Bengal had access to state government log-in IDs and passwords.

ED’s first arrest in this case, Bakibur Rahaman, a Kolkata-based businessman had access to the credentials of the subordinate offices under the state Food & Supplies Department.

During the course of its raid and search operations, the probe agency seized multiple state government seals, all attached to the Food & Supplies Department, from different offices of Rahaman.

The seals recovered include those of West Bengal Essential Commodities Supply Corporation Limited as well as those of the chief inspector, district food supply officers, and sub-inspector of the Food & Supplies Department.

Sources said that the recovery of the state government seals and the event of the arrested businessman having access to important log-in IDs and their passwords prove the influence and clout he enjoyed in the Department.

ED officials believe that such a level of influence and clout in any government department by an individual businessman is never possible unless the latter has the backing from the higher-ups.

Meanwhile, the state’s incumbent Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick, who had also served as the former Food & Supplies Minister, is currently under judicial custody over his alleged involvement in the case.

The sources said the ED has also identified Rahman’s links with the nexus of packaged flour marketing entities, to whom he used to sell flour meant for distribution through the public distribution system.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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