Rs 290-crore bank fraud: ED searches 11 locations in Bengal, Jharkhand

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting a massive search operation Thursday across West Bengal in connection with the investigation into the alleged Rs 290-crore bank fraud and financial misappropriation case. According to ED, a private company took a bank loan of Rs 290 crore under the pretext of building a 66 MW power plant in Jharkhand.

However, the central agency said the money was allegedly diverted to the accounts of various fake companies. The raids, which began Wednesday night, are being held at at least 11 places, including Kolkata and Howrah, at the houses and offices of directors and top officials of the companies involved in the fraud case, sources said.

Based on a tip-off, the ED team searched a multi-storey residence in Howrah and seized several documents Thursday. Parallel search operations are also underway in neighbouring states, including Jharkhand, to unearth the web of fraudulent financial transactions, ED sources said.

The central agency has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and started the investigation. On Wednesday, ED officials conducted a surprise raid at a multi-storey building in Kolkata’s Shakespeare Sarani in connection with an alleged corruption case worth crores of rupees at a toll plaza.

Simultaneous raids were conducted in seven other states as well, a source said. Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.

Experience Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.

Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.

Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.

Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.

Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India.

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