ACB raids Bengal govt official’s residence in Jhargram to probe corruption allegations
Kolkata, Aug 23 (IANS) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials raided the house of an official of the state Food and Supplies Department in West Bengal’s Jhargram district to probe allegations of corruption against him.
An Inspector and a Sub-Inspector of the ACB searched the house of the official, a resident of Nripenpalli in Jhargram, on Saturday. The incident created a huge stir in the area.
An investigation is underway based on allegations of corruption against a total of seven officials of the Food and Supplies Department.
Based on that investigation, the accused were asked to appear before the Anti-Corruption Bureau office.
Among them was Thakurdas Baske, who is currently working as an Inspector in the Food and Supplies Department in Bankura district.
It is learned that although six of the seven officials appeared at the Anti-Corruption Bureau office, Thakurdas did not appear.
Sources claimed that a search was conducted at his house in Jhargram following him being not present before the ACB office.
However, Thakurdas was not at home during the search and is currently absconding.
Sources say that his wife is being questioned.
It is not yet clear whether any important documents or other materials were recovered during the search.
No official details have been given on the basis of what kind of corruption allegations the investigation is being conducted.
A senior police officer said, “On Saturday morning, the officers of the Anti-Corruption Bureau started a search operation in different parts of Jhargram city. Then they reached Thakurdas Baske’s house in Nripenpalli and searched there. The investigators are probing his role into the allegations of corruption against him and whether anyone else is involved in this corruption case.”
After the change of government in the state, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari gave a strong message on the issue of corruption.
He also made it clear that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government will follow a zero tolerance policy when it comes to dealing with criminal and unethical activities, including extortion.
The police have arrested several Trinamool Congress leaders for being involved in various crimes, including extortion, molestation, issuing threats and intimidation.
–IANS
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