Kolkata, Nov 8: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is examining bank accounts linked to a network of shell companies allegedly used to divert proceeds of crime generated through the multi-crore human trafficking racket operating in West Bengal.

The ED unearthed information about these shell companies following raid and search operations conducted on Friday at six locations across different parts of the state. During scrutiny, officials found that large sums were deposited into these accounts and withdrawn within hours, suggesting layering and diversion of illicit funds.

Sources said that through the ongoing examination of these accounts, the investigating officers are attempting to trace the ultimate beneficiaries of the racket.

Meanwhile, the ED issued a statement on Saturday confirming that during the raids, cash worth over Rs 1.01 crore, several digital devices, and property-related documents were seized.

“Several bank account details under the use and operation of the accused/suspect persons have been identified. Two high-end luxury vehicles, including a Land Rover Defender and a Jaguar, have also been frozen under the provisions of PMLA,” the agency stated.

According to the ED, the organised trafficking network operated primarily through bar-cum-restaurants and dance bars in West Bengal.

The central agency initiated its probe based on multiple FIRs registered by Kolkata Police and the West Bengal Police against the key operators of the human trafficking racket under various sections of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. The ED subsequently registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Investigations have revealed that the accused exploited vulnerable women under false promises of employment, coercing them into prostitution, and generating substantial illegal proceeds in the process.

The accused identified so far include Jagjit Singh, Ajmal Siddiqui, Bishnu Mudra, and their associates, who allegedly played crucial roles in the financial and operational aspects of the racket.

Mumbai, Nov 8: The controversial land deal linked to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son, Parth, has given a new handle to the NCP stalwart’s traditional political rivals to target him over his response to allegations. The BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP are constituents of the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Responding to Ajit Pawar’s earlier remark that “when your children grow up, they do their own business,” BJP MP Narayan Rane on Saturday quipped, “Children can grow up, but they should be obedient. What more can I say about it?”.

Once a vocal critic of Ajit Pawar in the past, Rane refrained from making further comments on the issue.

Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil has said that Ajit Pawar’s “busy schedule” may have delayed his response to the controversy.

“If Ajit Pawar had acted when he first got wind of the Pune land issue, this situation might not have arisen. But considering his busy schedule, sometimes a few decisions happen automatically,” Vikhe Patil told reporters on Friday.

Vikhe Patil, a former Congressman, and the Pawars have been political rivals in western Maharashtra for decades.

The controversy pertains to the alleged illegal sale of 40 acres of government land in Pune’s Mundhwa area, reportedly worth around Rs 1,800 crore, which Opposition leaders claim was purchased by a company linked to Ajit Pawar’s son Parth for only Rs 300 crore with a stamp duty waiver.

While an FIR was registered on Thursday against three persons, including one of the partners in the company and a government official, for causing loss to the exchequer, Ajit Pawar denied any connection to the transaction.

He had heard of the matter a few months ago and made it clear that he would not tolerate any wrongdoing, he said.

Bhopal, Nov 8: Congress on Saturday alleged that a large number of RSS workers have been appointed as Block Level Officers (BLOs) for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise underway in Madhya Pradesh.

Congress also alleged that the process of SIR exercise started without complete preparation, as most of the BLOs were yet to receive form 18, and the people in more than 65 per cent of villages haven’t received those forms.

These startling allegations were made during a press conference addressed by a group of senior Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, MP LoP Umang Singhar, PCC chief Jitu Patwari, ex-minister Sajjan Singh Verma and others.

Senior leader Sajjan Singh Verma, who has been appointed as head of a committee of the Congress to look after the SIR issue in the state, briefing the media, said, “More than 1.5 lakh RSS workers have been enrolled for the BLOs job in Madhya Pradesh.”

Congress leader further claimed that the contact numbers of around 28,000 BLOs were not disclosed in the list provided by the Election Commission (EC).

“Why are the BLOs’ contact numbers not mentioned in the list provided to the Congress party?” Verma asked.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh alleged differences in the voters’ list being provided to the political parties and presiding officers during the elections.

He demanded that the vote list be frozen immediately after the election dates are announced.

While the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Madhya Pradesh, Umang Singhar, accused the BJP of conspiring to remove around 50,000 eligible voters, especially from Tribal populated districts.

He further stated that Congress is monitoring the SIR strictly and won’t allow it to remove eligible voters.

Notably, the Election Commission has kick-started the second phase of the SIR process in nine states, including Madhya Pradesh, and three Union Territories (UTs) from November 4.

The exercise will continue till December 4. For this purpose, one Block Level Officer (BLO) has been deployed at each of the 65,014 polling stations across the state, who will go door-to-door with enumeration forms.

Under this initiative, BLOs have been tasked to provide enumeration forms to electors at their doorstep.

The claims and objections will be accepted until January 8, and after all claims are resolved by January 31, the final voter list will be published on February 7.