Kolkata: The process of getting money from the premises of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of Minister Partha Chatterjee, arrested in the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam, continues. Enforcement Directorate has also recovered a large amount of cash at Arpita’s other house. At the same time, the ED has ordered a machine to count the money.
On July 22, the central probe agency raided the hideouts of Chatterjee and his associates in connection with the SSC scam. During this, Rs 21 crore in cash was recovered from Arpita Mukherjee’s residence. Along with this, gold and land papers worth 50 lakhs were also found by the investigating agency. Arpita was then arrested.
Gold along with three diaries also recovered
Arpita told the ED about this flat during interrogation. After this, the ED reached the flat located in Belgharia in the North 24 Parganas district. As the door of the house was closed, the investigating agency broke into the door and entered. On search, the investigating agency found three diaries. In which many things were written in sign language. Talking to the experts about who else is involved in the scam, the investigating agency is trying to decode it.
Argument with Arpita’s mother
As soon as the investigating agency reached there, Arpita’s mother stopped her from going inside. During this, there was also a hearing from the officials and Arpita’s mother. Even after that, when he did not let him in, the investigating personnel entered inside by breaking the door. According to the information received from the sources, the value of the cash found in the flat can be Rs 10-15 crore.
More than 12 illegal companies were running
According to information received from ED, Arpita Mukherjee was running more than 12 illegal companies. “We have received documents from Arpita’s flat in Joka which indicate that she was operating several shell companies for financial manipulation. We have documents from 12 such companies. People of Odisha and Tamil Nadu may be involved. Regarding them, we believe that they have diverted money here and there.”
The agency official said the ED is keeping a “close watch” on some people in Odisha and Tamil Nadu and they may be interrogated soon. He said, “We are trying to find out whether Arpita has invested in any film production house. We have many documents, files, and documents signed to make us believe so.”
Sent to 13 days of judicial custody
On Tuesday, the ED produced Arpita Mukherjee and minister Partha Chatterjee in court. Where the court has sent Mukherjee to 13 and Chatterjee to judicial custody for 14 days. Under which both the accused will remain in the custody of the investigating agency till August 3.
