ED Raids Eight Sites in Bengal in PMLA Probe Into Alleged Trafficking Racket

Overview

• The Enforcement Directorate conducted simultaneous searches at least eight premises across Bidhannagar, Kolkata and Siliguri on Friday.
• The searches are part of a money-laundering case linked to an alleged organised human-trafficking and prostitution network said to operate from certain bars and restaurants.
• The federal case stems from multiple FIRs and chargesheets filed by West Bengal Police naming Jagjit Singh, Ajmal Siddiqui, Bishnu Mundra and others.
• Officials allege that cash proceeds worth crores were laundered through multiple companies under the accused persons’ control.
• ED teams carried out parallel operations with CAPF escorts, and no arrests were reported at the time of publication.