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ED raids nine locations in West Bengal in PDS scam probe
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at nine sites across West Bengal as part of a money laundering probe into a Public Distribution System wheat diversion case. The raids, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, targeted suppliers and exporters linked to Nirajan Chandra Saha. The investigation traces back to an FIR from 2020 alleging large-scale diversion of PDS wheat intended for welfare schemes, with defendants said to have diverted wheat through unauthorised channels and concealed its origin by altering packaging.
Why It Matters
The case highlights alleged exploitation of the PDS and potential illicit enrichment that could impact welfare beneficiaries.
Timeline
2 Events
ED raids nine sites in West Bengal in PDS scam
April 25, 2026
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at nine locations across West Bengal as part of its money laundering probe under PMLA. The searches, led by the Kolkata zonal office, targeted suppliers and exporters in Kolkata, Burdwan, and Habra linked to Nirajan Chandra Saha and others. The operation began in the early morning and aims to uncover a scheme involving diversion of PDS wheat meant for welfare beneficiaries, with wheat allegedly diverted through unauthorised channels, re-bagged to hide original markings, and passed off into the open market or for export, generating proceeds of crime.
FIR linked to PDS wheat diversion filed
October 23, 2020
West Bengal Police registered an FIR at Basirhat Police Station on the complaint of Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Ghojadanga LCS, alleging large-scale diversion of PDS wheat meant for welfare schemes.