TMC MLA's Dramatic Escape Foiled During ED Raid in West Bengal

Kolkata, Aug 25 (PTI): A TMC MLA faced dramatic scenes on Monday as he was allegedly caught trying to escape his home during an extensive search conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in West Bengal's Murshidabad district. The searches are part of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in school recruitment. The ED is actively raiding the residence of Jiban Krishna Saha, a TMC legislator, in Burwan, as well as properties linked to his in-laws in Raghunathganj.

According to officials, the legislator attempted to flee his residence by scaling the boundary wall once he learned about the impending raids. ED officers and central forces reportedly apprehended him in an agricultural field, covered in mud.

The search operations extended to the home of his personal assistant in Birbhum district. The MLA apparently tried to destroy potential evidence by throwing his mobile phone into a nearby pond. However, ED officials managed to recover the devices from the water.

Both phones are being sent for forensic examination, and the MLA is currently under interrogation. The raids were based on information about a monetary transaction linked to a man from Birbhum district, connected to the alleged recruitment scam. This individual reportedly accompanied the ED team to Saha’s residence earlier in the day.

Saha's wife has also been questioned earlier by the central agency in relation to the scam. Notably, the CBI had previously arrested Jiban Krishna Saha in April 2023 regarding these alleged irregularities, but he was released on bail in May.

While the Enforcement Directorate is investigating the money laundering aspects of the alleged scam, the CBI is exploring its criminal implications.