Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths probing the multi-crore teaching and non-teaching staff recruitment scam in West Bengal have zeroed in on similarities between real estate promoter Ayan Shil and Trinamool Congress legislator and West Bengal Board of Primary Education's former President Manik Bhattacharya.
Sources said that just as Bhattacharya used the bank accounts held by his wife Satarupa Bhattacharya and son Souvik Bhattacharya to divert the proceeds of the scam, Shil adopted the similar approach, using the account held by his wife Kakoli Shil and son Abhijit Shil.
"However, Shil had gone a step ahead of Bhattacharya on this count. Cross-checking of the financial transactions made from the accounts of Shil it has been revealed he even used the bank account held by Iman Ganguly, the girlfriend of his son Abhijit, for the purpose," said an ED source.
While Bhattacharya, along with his wife and son, are currently in judicial custody in connection with the scam, Shil is currently in the custody of ED.
ED sleuths have come across information that Shil's son owns a petrol pump, which was actually financed by his father. The central agency officials have also identified some fictitious transactions in the bank account in the name of this petrol pump.
Now, sources said, the ED sleuths are investigating whether the account in the name of IGanguly was actually operated by her or by Shil himself after opening it in her name by accessing her identity proofs taking advantage of her close links with his son.
On this count, the name of Sweta Chakraborty, a model-turned-actress and a close associate of Ayan Shil, has also surfaced. ED sleuths have come to know that Shil had financed the purchase of her Honda City car in the past.
ED sources said that since the beginning of its investigation, names of women related to fashion, beauty, modelling and acting have surfaced. In July last year ED sleuths recovered crores of rupees and huge gold from the residence of model-turned-actress Arpita Mukherjee, who was a close aide of former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee.
In case of expelled youth Trinamool leader Kuntal Ghosh, the name of beauty salon owner Soma Chakraborty surfaced after it was revealed that he gave her Rs 50 lakh as loan for extension and upgradation of her salons. She had, however, returned this money to the ED.
In the case of Ayan Shil, the name of model-turned-actress Sweta Chakraborty has surfaced.
5,520 drug users receive treatment, 612 recovers: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today informed that as of January 2025, a total of 5,520 injection drug users have received services from Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centers. Of these, 612 have completed treatment and returned to the mainstream of healthy, normal lives.
Pradyot slams Yunus’s statement on NE, urges Centre to take firm stance
Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the Royal Scion and founder of the Tipra Motha Party, strongly condemned a recent remark by Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's Chief Advisor, regarding the Northeast Indian states, urging India to take a firm stance in response.
95 percent of Agartala Smart City works completed: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today informed that almost 95 percent of the work under Agartala Smart City Limited has already been completed and remaining works are expected to be completed by May 2025.
More relief, medical supplies: India continues humanitarian aid to Myanmar
In a heartwarming gesture, Myo Aung, the Chief Minister of Mandalay, visited the facility, witnessing first hand the compassionate care being extended. The Indian Army shared this on X on Tuesday with a few photos.
India, Thailand bilateral trade ties set to strengthen during PM Modi's visit
The recent years saw increased investment from Thailand in India in infrastructure, real estate, agro processing, electronics, automotive, food processing sectors, the hotel hospitality sector and the renewable energy sector.
Uproar in Lok Sabha as SP leads Oppn protest over Waqf Bill
The four-day last leg of Parliament Budget Session 2025 kicked off on an acrimonious note on Tuesday with Opposition MPs forcing an adjournment in the Lok Sabha amid protests led by Samajwadi Party members over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
PM Modi and Chilean President hold bilateral talks at Hyderabad House
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font at the Hyderabad House, where the two leaders discussed ways to enhance bilateral engagement across economic, commerce and societal domains.
EAM Jaishankar, Chilean Prez Boric discuss long-standing bilateral ties
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday held talks with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font and discussed ways to strenghthen long-standing bilateral ties.