Nusrat Jahan Grilled by ED for Eight Hours in Senior Citizen Fraud Case
Actress and former Trinamool Congress MP Nusrat Jahan appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Kolkata on Wednesday, facing interrogation in connection with a complaint against her company. The high-profile questioning session lasted nearly eight hours, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation.
Details of the Alleged Fraud Scheme
The case centers around allegations that a company, with which Nusrat Jahan was previously associated, defrauded more than 400 senior citizens during 2014-15. The company had reportedly promised 1,000 square-foot apartments to these victims, none of whom allegedly received either the promised flats or refunds of their invested money.
Financial magnitude of the alleged fraud stands at approximately Rs 24 crore, representing booking amounts paid by investors for apartments that were never delivered. The ED's investigation has been ongoing, with the agency previously questioning Nusrat Jahan for about six hours in 2023 regarding the same matter.
Nusrat Jahan's Response and Previous Claims
When questioned by media about the summons, Nusrat Jahan responded cryptically, stating, "You should find out." She emerged from the ED office holding hands with her husband, Yash Dasgupta, after the lengthy interrogation session.
During her 2023 questioning, the actress had presented documents showing her earnings between 2013-14 and 2017-18 totaled Rs 1.1 crore. She maintained that she had resigned from the company in question and claimed to have no involvement in the fraudulent real estate deals that prompted the investigation.
Notably, Nusrat Jahan had initially requested that the interrogation take place in New Delhi, but ED officials reportedly declined this request, requiring her appearance at their Kolkata office instead.
Separate ED Probe Targets State Ministers
In a parallel development, the Enforcement Directorate has summoned two West Bengal state ministers - Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh - in connection with an alleged municipal recruitment scam. Both ministers have been asked to appear before the agency on Friday.
The timing of these summons is particularly significant as both politicians are currently contesting elections. Sujit Bose is running from Bidhannagar, while Rathin Ghosh is fighting from Madhyamgram, with both constituencies scheduled to vote on April 29.
This marks not the first time the ED has sought appearances from these ministers. The agency had previously sent summons that reportedly went unanswered, prompting this latest round of formal requests for their presence before investigators.
Broader Context of ED Investigations
The dual probes highlight the Enforcement Directorate's active investigations into multiple allegations of financial irregularities in West Bengal. The agency's scrutiny of both a high-profile celebrity politician and sitting state ministers underscores the breadth of their current investigative focus.
These developments occur against the backdrop of ongoing political campaigns in the state, adding layers of complexity to both the legal proceedings and the electoral landscape. The outcomes of these ED investigations could have significant implications for both the individuals involved and the broader political environment in West Bengal.
