Kolkata: PMLA court on Wednesday granted bail to former food and supplies minister Jyotipriya Mallick in connection with multi-crore ration distribution scam that is being probed by Enforcement Directorate (ED). According to court sources, Mallick was granted bail against a personal bond of Rs 50 lakhs.
“The court has instructed Mallick to cooperate with the investigation, submit his passport and also refrain from influencing witnesses or making media statements,” said the court sources. Mallick was arrested on 27, 2023 by the ED from his residence in Salt Lake.
West Bengal: Former West Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick was released from Presidency Jail, Alipore, Kolkata, after being granted bail following 13 months in custody in connection with a multi-crore ration scam. After his release, he arrived at his Salt Lake home, Plot No. 244… pic.twitter.com/fFFN3eNvNH
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Mallick’s lawyer prayed for bail stating that the former minister was in jail for a long time and also that the trial is not likely to commence soon. Though the lawyers representing ED opposed the prayer, special judge Prasanta Mukhopadhyay had granted him the bail.
Soon after the bail was granted the release order was sent to Presidency correctional home and Mallick was released. Several followers of Mallick gathered outside his house at Salt Lake to welcome him but Mallick without saying anything entered his residence.
Mallick was the state’s forest minister when he was arrested and in February 2024 Mallick was removed from his post and Birbaha Hansda was made the new forest minister of West Bengal.