Kolkata:
The Enforcement Directorate has taken major action in the animal trafficking case and attacked TMC leader Anubrata Mandal’s running assets worth Rs 25.86 crore. This action has been taken under money laundering. The attached properties include 36 bank accounts, including Anubrata Mandal, their family members, their businesses, companies and benamidars.
How did the scam happen?
ED started this investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by CBI, Kolkata. In this FIR, the then BSF Commandant Satish Kumar, Kingpin Mohammad Inamul Haque and others were accused of illegally smuggling cattle in Bangladesh.
Investigation revealed that Anubrata Mandal earned an illegal money of Rs 48.06 crore, as he gave political patronage to this smuggling racket in West Bengal. At that time, he was the district president of Birbhum of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and had a great impact on the local administration.
How did money laundering done?
According to the ED, Anubrata Mandal was in touch with Mohammad Inamul Haque through his bodyguard Sehgal Hussain. He was deposited in several bank accounts of cash received from this smuggling, in the name of his family, associate companies, benami accounts and local traders. Later, this money was sent back through banking channels.
Arrest and action have been taken earlier also
Anubrata Mandal was arrested by ED on 17 November 2022. After 22 months in jail, he got bail from the Special Court (Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi) on 20 September 2024. So far, 4 charge sheet has been filed in this case. A total of Rs 51.13 crore property has been attached in this case so far.