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Former West Bengal Food Minister Jyotipriya Mallick, arrested in connection with a high-profile ration corruption case, has been granted bail by the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) special court. The court approved his release on a personal bond of ₹5 lakh, marking the end of his 14-month-long incarceration.
Mallick, affectionately known as 'Balu Da,' was arrested on October 27, 2023, following allegations of widespread corruption within the state’s ration distribution system. His arrest was part of a broader investigation into recruitment and ration-related scams, spearheaded by the ED.
The court justified its decision by pointing to insufficient evidence against the former minister. Judge Prashant Mukherjee noted that other accused in the case, including rice mill owner Baqibur Rahman and Shankar Aadya, had already been granted bail. “The defendant has been in jail for a considerable time,” the judge remarked, emphasizing that prolonged detention without conclusive proof was unwarranted.
During the investigation, ED lawyers had referred to Mallick as the “Gangasagar of corruption,” suggesting he played a pivotal role in the alleged scam. However, the defense argued that the prosecution had failed to substantiate its claims with adequate evidence.
The corruption case came to light during a probe into recruitment irregularities. It was alleged that certain individuals exploited loopholes in the ration distribution system, leading to widespread financial misappropriation. Baqibur Rahman, a rice mill owner, was the first to be arrested, followed by Mallick later that year.
Mallick’s release on bail has sparked discussions across political and public spheres. While the ED has yet to announce its next steps, the development raises questions about the strength of the evidence and the investigation's trajectory.