West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday alleged that Bakibur Rahman, who was arrested in connection with ration distribution graft in Bengal, has used his undue influence to acquire several favours and assets from HIDCO.
Taking to X, Adhikari said, ” Bakibur Rahman, a PDS shop and rice miller owner, who fortunes skyrocketed in a very quick time and he became a prominent realtor, hotelier, owner of nursing homes, a number of rice mills, foreign made cars, a number of flats at posh localities and several plots including those allocated by HIDCO; flouting the norms. “
” Rahman who is the Director of
13 companies and associated with many shell companies is known to have close ties with Ministers & other influential individuals in the state. His shady operations is not only limited to potential wrongdoing linked to the ration distribution misconduct, ” the BJP MLA from Nandigram further alleged.
” I would urge @dir_ed to look into Bakibur Rahman”s connection with HIDCO, which is under the Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Department; Govt of WB. He has used his undue influence to acquire several favours & assets from HIDCO. I have appended details of one such plot herewith. This is the tip of the iceberg, more revelations would be made later, ” Adhikari mentioned.
It might be mentioned that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the court-monitored alleged irregularities in the ration distribution system across West Bengal formally arrested influential businessman Bakibur Rahaman after a marathon interrogation.
The central probe agency on Friday picked up Bakibur Rahaman from his Khalkhali house near Dum Dum airport after searching and questioning him since Wednesday morning, and took him to the Central Government Office (CGO) complex at Salt Lake and formally arrested the accused in the early hours on Saturday after hours of grilling.
The federal agency had raided 12 places, including several rice mills, in the two neighbouring districts of North 24 Parganas and Nadia and addresses of businessmen Bakibur Rahman and seized several documents, including multiple mobile phones during the search operations.
ED sources claimed that while investigating the case it came to light that the businessman has very close connection with a minister. During the pandemic period, there were allegations of corruption in the distribution of rations.
Besides the rice mills, Babibur Rahaman owned hotels, bars and restaurants businesses.
