On Tuesday (November 12), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids at multiple locations in Jharkhand, which is preparing for assembly elections, as well as in neighboring West Bengal.
The operation is part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation into the suspected illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals. The ED’s Jharkhand office targeted a total of 17 sites across both states.
The first phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections is scheduled for Wednesday, with the second round set for November 20. On the same day, West Bengal will hold by-elections for six assembly seats.
In September, the ED launched a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to investigate allegations of infiltration and trafficking involving Bangladeshi women in Jharkhand. The inquiry was triggered by a complaint from a woman who reportedly entered India illegally in search of work. During a recent raid, five to six women allegedly involved were detained at a local resort.
This case follows comments by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders accusing the state government of facilitating such infiltration, which they argue is altering the demographics of tribal regions like Santhal Pargana and Kolhan.
Recently, a High Court ruling called for an independent panel to examine the influx of Bangladeshi nationals, a move criticized by Modi in light of the state government’s response.
The Enforcement Directorate’s ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) is based on a June FIR filed by Jharkhand Police at the Bariyatu police station in Ranchi.
