Kolkata: Enforcement Directorate on Friday carried out simultaneous searches at 12 locations across Bengal, including Kolkata, in connection with the alleged ration distribution scam.The searches were conducted at several premises in Kolkata as well as in Bongaon, Murshidabad and Howrah, primarily at the residences and establishments linked to businessmen suspected to be involved in the racket. A number of premises on Lord Sinha Road and Minto Park were also searched. ED officers also searched the premises of a rice dealer in Howrah.Meanwhile, state fire and emergency services minister Sujit Bose, who skipped an ED summons on Friday over the municipal recruitment corruption probe, sent a letter to the agency alleging “harassment”.In the letter, Bose raised several objections and allegations against the central agency and claimed that the investigation was part of a “vile conspiracy”.Bose had earlier alleged that ED was being used to target him politically ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. He had claimed that the papers sent to him by ED did not explicitly mention his name in any incriminating context.
