Malda, Sept. 28 -- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday morning carried out a search at the residence of Shafikul Alam alias Liton in the Mulaibari area of Chanchal, in connection with an alleged money-laundering investigation linked to cybercrime.

ED officials arrived at the house at around 7 am accompanied by central armed forces. According to sources, investigators are examining alleged transactions involving a large amount of money suspected to have been generated through fraudulent activities. The search is reportedly being conducted on the basis of financial transactions traced through Shafikul's bank accounts.

Documents, bank records and other financial details are being examined by the investigating team. The search was continuing till the report was filed. The ED has not yet issued a detailed official statement explaining the allegations or the outcome of the operation. According to ED sources, the search is linked to a money-laundering case registered in Punjab. Investigators are examining whether the financial transactions under scrutiny are connected to the case.

The operation triggered political exchanges in Chanchal. Trinamool Congress MLA Prasun Banerjee said the ED should conduct searches over a wider area. "They should investigate whether there is any anti-national laundering network behind these transactions," he said, while alleging that such activities had grown during the previous government.

BJP MP from Malda North, Khagen Murmu, said ED operations were being conducted across the country and that more such action could follow.

Meanwhile, the raid has surprised local residents. Mohosin Ali, a resident of the area, said Shafikul was known as a well-regarded man in the village. "He has a good reputation here. His occupation is agriculture, and people know him as someone involved in farming," Ali said.

The investigation is ongoing, and no conclusion regarding Shafikul's alleged involvement has been officially announced.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.