Archive · 8 Nov 2025
ED Seizes Over Rs 1 Crore Cash, Luxury Cars in Bengal Trafficking Probe
Imagine some people were tricking women by promising them jobs, but then forcing them to do bad things like working in certain bars and making them perform illegal acts.
These people were making a lot of money from this.
A special team called the ED is investigating this.
They searched several places in West Bengal and found a lot of money, fancy cars, and phones.
They even found special 'plastic notes' used inside a bar for illegal payments.
The ED is working on this case because the people involved are accused of human trafficking and handling money illegally.
They are looking into how the money was moved and who benefited from it.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted simultaneous raids across West Bengal as part of a money laundering investigation.
Over Rs 1.01 crore in cash, two luxury cars (a Land Rover Defender and a Jaguar), and digital devices were seized during the operations.
The investigation targets an alleged organized human trafficking and prostitution syndicate operating through bars and restaurants.
Accused allegedly lured vulnerable women with false employment promises and coerced them into prostitution, laundering proceeds through companies and bars.
The ED's case is based on PMLA provisions, stemming from FIRs and charge sheets filed by the West Bengal Police under various acts.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) targeting alleged syndicate leaders Jagjit Singh, Ajmal Siddiqui, Bishnu Mundra, and their associates.
- What
- Simultaneous raids were conducted, leading to the seizure of over Rs 1.01 crore in cash, two luxury cars, property documents, digital devices, and the discovery of 'plastic notes' used for illicit payments.
- When
- Friday
- Where
- At least eight locations across Kolkata, Bidhannagar (North 24 Parganas), and Siliguri in West Bengal.
- Why
- To investigate an alleged organized human trafficking and prostitution syndicate involved in money laundering, which lured vulnerable women with false employment promises and coerced them into prostitution.
Accused Individuals
Enforcement Directorate (ED)
Nature of Operations
Accused Individuals
The accused are alleged to be involved in an organized human trafficking and prostitution syndicate.
Enforcement Directorate (ED)
The ED is investigating an alleged organized human trafficking and prostitution syndicate operating through bars and restaurants.
Modus Operandi
Accused Individuals
The accused allegedly lured vulnerable women with false employment promises and coerced them into prostitution.
Enforcement Directorate (ED)
The ED's investigation indicates that vulnerable women were lured with false employment promises and coerced into prostitution, with proceeds laundered through companies and bars.
Financial Transactions
Accused Individuals
Proceeds were allegedly laundered through various shell firms and benami holdings.
Enforcement Directorate (ED)
The ED is investigating the laundering of criminal profits through various shell firms and benami holdings, and noted the use of 'plastic notes' for illicit payments within dance bars.
- Agency Conducting Raids
- Enforcement Directorate (ED)
- Cash Seized
- Over Rs 1.01 crore
- Vehicles Seized
- Land Rover Defender, Jaguar
- Locations Raided
- At least eight locations across Kolkata, Bidhannagar, and Siliguri in West Bengal
- Allegations
- Organized human trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering
- Basis of Investigation
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
- Predicate Offences
- Indian Penal Code, Arms Act, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1986
