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ED files money laundering case after clash between Trinamool Congress factions in Kolkata

ED official says they are probing the money trail and funds spent on acquiring illegal arms and explosives, which were used in the clash that took place on 30 March.

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New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a case under PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) in connection with a clash that broke out between two factions of the Trinamool Congress in south Kolkata’s Garden Reach area on 30 March.

During the clash, the two groups had fired at each other and even hurled bombs. Police were also pelted with stones, leaving some personnel injured. Some Trinamool workers also sustained injuries in the clash.

According to sources in the police, the factions clashed over the distribution of ration meant to help local residents during the lockdown.

Seven people have been arrested in the case so far.

A senior ED official told ThePrint that the agency has started probing the money trail and also the funds spent on acquiring illegal arms and explosives, which were used in the clash, when the country is under lockdown.


Also read: Bombs, bullets fly as Covid-19 lockdown fails to end violence in ‘politically-charged’ Bengal


What the FIR by ED says

According to the FIR lodged by the ED last week, there are reasons to believe that an “offence of money laundering has been committed”. 

“It is suspected that the above crimes have been committed for the purpose of creating fear and acquiring monetary benefits illegally. It is further suspected that proceeds of the crime generated through commission of crime and related criminal activities, have been laundered and used for committing above offences,” stated the FIR, accessed by ThePrint.

“Section 25 & 27 of Arms Act and 3 & 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, are scheduled offences under PMLA, 2002,” it added. 

The ED’s FIR is based on the police FIR lodged at the Garden Reach police station on 30 March.

The police had slapped charges under sections of the Arms Act and Explosive Substance Act, along with other sections of the IPC, against 13 accused, including some prominent TMC leaders. Of these 13, seven have been arrested. 

A senior Kolkata Police official, however, said they were not aware of the case started by the ED. “We are not aware, but our investigation is on,” he added. 

Garden Reach — a crime hotspot 

Garden Reach is also referred to as the port area, which has a very high crime rate.

The area mostly sees clashes related to extortion and share of profits over cargo handling and other port-related crimes, said police.

In 2013, a policeman was shot dead during a student union election at a college in the area. It was a result of a clash between Trinamool Congress and Congress workers.


Also read: Don’t celebrate Bengal, news of home delivery of booze is fake. Be happy with sweets


 

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