Kolkata, October 27, 2023: West Bengal Minister Jyotipriya Mallick was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) late Thursday night in connection with an alleged case of corruption in the public distribution system (PDS).
The ED said in an official release that Mallick was arrested after "incriminating evidence" was found against him during raids at his residence and other locations on Thursday. The agency said that Mallick had "misused his official position" to "indulge in corrupt practices" related to the PDS.
Mallick is a senior leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and is currently the state's forest minister. He was previously the state's food minister, and the ED is investigating his alleged role in a ration scam that took place during his tenure.
The ED's arrest of Mallick is a major blow to the TMC government in West Bengal. The party has already been facing allegations of corruption in connection with the PDS scam, and Mallick's arrest is likely to further damage its image.
Mallick's arrest is also a significant development in the ED's ongoing crackdown on corruption in West Bengal. The agency has been investigating a number of high-profile cases in the state, including the PDS scam and the Narada sting operation case.
It remains to be seen how the TMC government will react to Mallick's arrest. The party has already accused the ED of being politically motivated, and it is likely to step up its attacks on the agency in the coming days.
