A Court in Kolkata on Monday extended Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of arrested West Bengal Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick by seven days. Mr. Mallick was arrested on October 27 in connection with an alleged ration scam and was admitted to a hospital after the arrest.
Counsel of the ED prayed before the court for an extension of Mr. Mallick’s custody by seven days, claiming that though the court had granted 10 days’ custody to the central agency, the Minister was effectively in its remand for seven days as he was admitted to a private hospital for three days.
The Minister who now holds the charge of the State’s Forest Department held the portfolio of Food and Supplies Department from 2011-2021. The ED has alleged that Mr. Mallick siphoned the food grains meant for the public distribution system through fake companies and agents. The ED’s counsel said that the agency wants Mr. Mallick’s custody to question him on several more points in connection with the scam.
