KOLKATA: Tensions surrounding the attacks on ED teams in Bengal escalated on Monday, as the central agency accused the state police of filing a weak FIR. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) claimed that the FIR registered by the state police only covered bailable and non-scheduled offences in the Sandeshkhali assault that occurred on January 5. ED alleged that their initial complaint to the police had cited multiple non-bailable penal sections, including attempt to murder and rioting, but these charges were omitted in the filed FIR.
On January 5, a mob of around 200 villagers from Sandeshkhali attacked and injured three ED officials during an investigation into an alleged Rs 550-crore ration scam. The conflict between ED and Bengal police intensified as the agency claimed they had not been provided with copies of FIRs related to the attacks.
Bengal police, however, refuted ED’s claims, calling them baseless. Basirhat SP Joby Thomas stated that a suo motu case had been lodged even before the ED’s complaint, and police were conducting a preliminary inquiry. He added that CRPF statements were awaited, emphasizing the need to identify those responsible for the attack.
The money laundering probe by ED revolves around alleged irregularities in the public distribution system in Bengal. The agency had previously arrested TMC leader Jyotipriya Mallick and his aide Bakibur Rahaman in connection with this case.
