ED raids in West Bengal, Jharkhand over Bangladeshi 'infiltration'

India’s Enforcement Directorate launched simultaneous raids on Tuesday across multiple locations in West Bengal and Jharkhand in connection with alleged Bangladeshi infiltration and money laundering via illegal channels. 

The ED teams started operations at approximately 7:00am, targeting at least 17 sites in both states.

In North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, ED investigators conducted a raid at the residence of Pintu Haldar, a cab driver suspected of involvement in cross-border financial transactions with Bangladesh, including dealings through illegal hundis, gold smuggling, and cricket betting. Four ED officials were present at the scene.

In another location, the ED raided the residence of Partha Saha, a garment trader in Habra, where officers interrogated him while central security forces secured the premises. Meanwhile, in Madhyamgram, ED officers also searched the flat of a woman named Pinki Bose, alleged to have facilitated currency exchanges between Indian and Bangladeshi rupees, reportedly laundering black money through hawala networks.

The ED’s operations also extended to the 'Snow Fox Bar-cum-Restaurant' near the Bordghar bus stand on Barasat-Sodpur road.

In Jharkhand, the ED’s investigations link back to a September FIR filed in Ranchi’s Bariatu police station concerning the trafficking of Bangladeshi and Rohingya women, who allegedly obtained Indian identification under false identities. ED sources suspect a substantial network within West Bengal and Jharkhand is aiding illegal infiltration from Bangladesh.

The infiltration issue has become a focal point in Jharkhand’s upcoming assembly elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President JP Nadda have all accused the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led coalition government of supporting Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators for vote-bank purposes, asserting that the demographic shift is affecting Jharkhand’s electoral landscape.