Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed the state Director General of Police to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged Lakshmir Bhandar scam. Announcing the decision, the Chief Minister stated that 22 fake beneficiary cases have been detected in Berhampore. Among the 22 accounts identified, one was allegedly linked to an individual named Rakibul, while 15 accounts were found in the name of Mustafizur Sheikh and his wife.
CM's Statement on SIT Formation
“We have instructed the DGP to form an SIT. No one will be spared. Strict action will be taken against those who have entered the Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiary list using fake identities or fraudulent means,” the Chief Minister said.
He further elaborated, “We have spotted that in Murshidabad, men like Rakibul Sheikh and Mustafizur Rehaman are recipients of Lakshmir Bhandar and were operating multiple fake accounts. Around 22 accounts were spotted. Men are taking funds from the Lakshmir Bhandar, and for which the police were asked to probe.”
Previous Arrest and Money Laundering Allegations
The Chief Minister had mentioned last week the case of Rakibul Sheikh and the fake accounts maintained by him, following which Rakibul was arrested. “People like Rakibul Sheikh are getting this dole, which should not have gone to them. We will see if the government can get back the money they drew, as it went from the exchequer. So it is a kind of money laundering,” the CM asserted.
Adhikari alleged that thousands of male Trinamool Congress leaders and infiltrators had been fraudulently availing benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. “We have calculated that at least Rs 30 lakh was being withdrawn fraudulently. Through legal measures, we will completely stop this corruption from the grassroots level,” he added.
The Chief Minister reiterated, “People like Rakibul Sheikh are getting this dole, which should not have gone to them. We will see if the government can get back the money they drew, as it went from the exchequer. So it is a kind of money laundering.”
