ED Seizes Rs 40 Lakh In Cash, Property Documents From Bengal Minister Chandranath Sinha's Residence

Sinha was earlier summoned by the CBI in the cattle and coal smuggling cases. Meanwhile, the ED simultaneously conducted searches at the residences of several businessmen across Kolkata.

ED officers leave after a search at the residence of Bengal Minister and TMC leader Chandranath Sinha

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers conducted a 14-hour-long raid at the residence of West Bengal minister Chandranath Sinha in Birbhum district. During the operation, the officers seized property-related documents, a mobile phone, and over Rs 40 lakh in cash, an official said on Saturday. The ED sleuths had on Friday conducted the search operation at the Bolpur residence of Sinha in connection with the agency's investigation into the alleged school recruitment scam.

However, the state minister couldn't clarify why such a large amount of cash was kept at his residence, the ED official said, as per news agency PTI. "We have seized some property-related documents for the sake of our investigation. One mobile phone and over Rs 40 lakh in cash were seized. We have also asked some questions to the minister", the ED officer told PTI.

The central agency's raid on Sinha's residence in Bolpur occurred while he was at his ancestral house in Murarai, approximately 90 km away. The ED officers asked Sinha to return to Bolpur by the ED officers. Upon his return, he was questioned for several hours until midnight. 

Sinha was at his ancestral house in Murarai, around 90 km away, at that time. While leaving for Bolpur, he told reporters he would cooperate with the investigators, as per PTI. "I did not do any wrong. Unless I reach there and talk to them I will not be able to tell what is happening. I will cooperate with them in every possible way", he remarked.

Sinha was earlier summoned by the CBI in the cattle and coal smuggling cases. Meanwhile, the ED simultaneously conducted searches at the residences of several businessmen across Kolkata, including areas like Lake Town, Chetla, Ballygunge, and Birati. These actions unfold amidst the backdrop of an alleged recruitment scam, officials said.