Renowned Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta was interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday regarding the multi-crore ration distribution irregularities case. According to officials, the actress was questioned for over five hours. The questioning session focused on her connections with the former Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriyo Mallick. Notably, Mallick had been arrested in connection with the case.
The ED's investigation sought to uncover any potential financial transactions between the office of Rituparna and the state Food and Supplies Department during his tenure as minister. The ED officer stated, "We also verified some details, including transactions made through her bank accounts. She has submitted a few documents, which will also be verified.”
Rituparna denies her involvement
Following the interrogation, Sengupta asserted that she was not involved in the alleged irregularities. "I have cooperated with them throughout. I have provided them with the necessary documents. I cannot talk much about the matter," she told reporters while leaving the ED office.
It is pertinent to note that Sengupta had initially been summoned by the probe agency to appear on June 5. However, she requested a rescheduling as she was in the United States at the time. Also, this was not the first time Sengupta had faced ED scrutiny. In 2019, she was questioned in connection with the Rose Valley chit-fund case.
Action against Mallick
Jyotirpriya Mallick was removed from office for his alleged involvement in a multi-crore ration distribution scam in February this year. Mallick was already behind the bars at that time as he was arrested in October 2023.
Governor C V Ananda Bose had exercised his powers under Article 166(3) of the Constitution to relieved Mallick of his duties as minister with immediate effect.
(With PTI Inputs)
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