ED Arrests West Bengal Minister Jyotripriya Mallick In Alleged Ration Scam

Sitting West Bengal Minister Trinamool Congress leader, Jyotripriya Mallick has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday night in connection with an alleged case of corruption in the public distribution system.

Earlier, the ED team had conducted searches at Mallick's residence in Salt Lake, on the outskirts of Kolkata.

Mallick, while being whisked away by the ED sleuths, with the help of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel, the minister said he was the "victim of a grave conspiracy".

"West Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick has been arrested by ED in connection with an alleged case of corruption in rationing distribution," the agency stated in an official release.

The ED has been carrying out searches in connection with an alleged case of corruption in ration distribution. Mallick is currently the state minister for Forest Affairs and previously held the portfolio for the Food and Civil Supplies department.

Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is yet to respond to the arrest of its minister.

Earlier this year, the ED had arrested former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and his aide Arpita Mukherjee, in connection with the teachers' recruitment scam, after the recovery of huge cash from the latter's residence.

Both are facing a probe into the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) recruitment scam, according to the ED.

The TMC's Burbhum district president Anubrata Mondal had also been arrested earlier in connection with a cattle smuggling case.

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