ED Raids TMC MP Nadimul Haque's Residence Among 7 Places in West Bengal, Delhi, Jharkhand in Money Laundering Case

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted searches at seven locations across West Bengal, Delhi and Jharkhand in connection with an alleged money laundering case involving Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque and an Urdu daily newspaper associated with him.

The searches targeted premises linked to Akhbar-E-Mashriq Pvt Ltd, an Urdu newspaper, and its director Mohd Nadimul Haque. The ED's Kolkata zonal office is carrying out the searches in Kolkata, Delhi and Ranchi as part of its investigation into alleged financial irregularities and suspicious transactions.

Searches Across Three States

According to officials, the ED operation began early Monday and covered the TMC MP's residence, the newspaper's office and other premises linked to the case.

The searches are being conducted with the assistance of security personnel and the concerned state police forces. Officials said the operation was continuing at the locations when the report was published.

The searches are part of an investigation into alleged financial transactions involving the newspaper and individuals associated with it. The agency is examining documentary and digital evidence as well as the financial dealings of the entities under investigation.

Case Linked to Bidhannagar Police FIR

The ED has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) based on an FIR registered by the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate in West Bengal.

According to officials, the case includes allegations concerning the publication and dissemination of material allegedly promoting communal disharmony, along with allegations of illegal financial transactions, unaccounted cash dealings and funding from suspicious sources.

The agency is investigating the alleged financial trail to determine whether any proceeds of crime were generated or routed through the transactions under scrutiny.

ED Probes Financial Trail

The central agency is examining financial records and other material gathered during the searches as it attempts to establish the alleged money trail.

Officials said the operation is intended to collect documentary and digital evidence and examine financial dealings involving the entities and individuals named in the case.

The investigation is being conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Further details about any material seized or the next steps in the investigation are awaited.

Nadimul Haque Was in Ranchi

At the time of the searches, Nadimul Haque was reportedly in Ranchi on an official visit connected with a parliamentary committee. According to the Indian Express report, he informed the chairperson of the committee, Dr M. Thambi Durai, about the ED action.

The searches therefore took place while the TMC MP was away from at least some of the premises being searched.

Wider Investigation Into TMC-Linked Financial Matters

The ED action comes amid increased scrutiny by central investigating agencies into alleged financial irregularities involving individuals and entities associated with political organisations.

The agency has separately been pursuing investigations involving alleged financial transactions connected with the TMC and other entities. In one such investigation, the ED has been seeking financial information from the Cayman Islands in connection with a probe involving the TMC and Carewell Aviation.

However, the searches involving Nadimul Haque and Akhbar-E-Mashriq relate to the specific case registered on the basis of the Bidhannagar Police FIR.

Investigation Continues

The ED's latest searches are part of an ongoing investigation, and the allegations being examined by the agency have not been established as criminal liability against the individuals concerned.

Further details are expected to emerge after the completion of the searches and examination of the material collected by investigators.

The case is likely to attract political attention in West Bengal, particularly because the investigation involves a sitting TMC Rajya Sabha MP.