4 hrs ago
Bengal Minister Warns Against Durga Puja-Linked Corruption After ED Raids
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh warned people not to misuse Durga Puja for collecting money.
He said the government would act when it received complaints.
His comments came after the Enforcement Directorate searched 15 locations.
The searches were linked to a money-laundering investigation.
Officials accused an organization connected to Indranil Sen’s wife of collecting money using a false UNESCO-related claim.
The allegations have not been presented as a final court finding in the report.
Ghosh also said people were not frustrated with the Election Commission’s SIR exercise.
He questioned why Abhishek Banerjee should receive Z-plus security while a corruption case involving him is being heard.
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh said corruption conducted in the name of Durga Puja will not be tolerated.
The Enforcement Directorate raided 15 premises linked to former minister Indranil Sen and others in a money-laundering investigation.
Officials alleged that Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society collected money by falsely claiming affiliation with a UNESCO-sponsored entity.
Ghosh said collecting money for Durga Puja through such activities is illegal and that complaints would prompt immediate action.
He also defended the Election Commission’s SIR exercise and criticized a request by Abhishek Banerjee to restore his Z-plus security.
- Who
- West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, the Enforcement Directorate, former minister Indranil Sen, and others connected to the investigation.
- What
- Ghosh warned against alleged corruption linked to Durga Puja collections after the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at 15 premises.
- Where
- West Bengal, with Ghosh speaking to the media in Midnapore and searches conducted at 15 premises.
- When
- Tuesday.
- Why
- The raids concerned alleged financial irregularities and money laundering involving an organization that ran Durga Puja preview shows.
Key facts
- Minister
- Dilip Ghosh, West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development Minister
- Searches
- The Enforcement Directorate covered 15 premises on Tuesday
- Investigation
- Alleged money laundering and financial irregularities
- Organization named
- Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society
- Allegation
- Officials said the organization allegedly collected money by falsely claiming it was for a UNESCO-sponsored entity
- Other issue
- Ghosh commented on the Election Commission’s SIR exercise and Abhishek Banerjee’s request for restored Z-plus security
Quotes
Dilip Ghosh
West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development Minister
“There is no tolerance for corruption, whoever it may be, and no one can act arbitrarily. As soon as a complaint is received, immediate action will be taken. It has already started-collecting money in the name of Durga Puja and engaging in such activities is illegal. The government is taking measures against it.”
thehansindia.com
“No one needs Z-plus security in Bengal, so why should Z-plus security be given? If there is a corruption case against someone and it is being heard in court, giving them Z-plus security would amount to insulting our administration.”
thehansindia.com
