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Investigations into the cattle smuggling scam have revealed that arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Anubrata Mondal managed to make huge amounts of money during the posting of BSF Commandant Satish Kumar
Investigations into the cattle smuggling scam have revealed that arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Anubrata Mondal managed to make huge amounts of money between 2015 and 2017 during the posting of BSF Commandant Satish Kumar in Malda district along the India-Bangladesh border. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in its probe, has already found a direct link between Kumar and Mondal.
Sources said Enamul Haque, already arrested in the case, was a close confidant of Mondal. He used to run a company — Haque Industries Pvt Limited — where BSF Commandant’s son Bhuvan Bhaskar was employed at a salary of Rs 30,000- 40,000 per month between May and December 2017.
The FIR registered by the CBI in connection with the case has named BSF Commandant Kumar, his son Bhuvan, Haque and others.
Sources told The New Indian that the CBI may confront the trio with Mondal in the coming days. Sources also said over 50 persons were under the radar of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was suspected to have a role in the case.
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The FIR says: “During December 19, 2015 to April 22, 2017, Satish Kumar was posted as Commandant of BSF 31 Battalion in Malda district which had four companies deployed in Murshidabad and two companies in Malda, along the India-Bangladesh border.
“It is alleged that during the time of Kumar’s posting, more than 20,000 cows were seized by the BSF before these cattle could be transported across the border to Bangladesh. However, those vehicles carrying animals or persons involved in the illegal trade and having nexus with the authorities, were not seized or apprehended.”
“Further due to the close nexus between the BSF and Customs officials with traders Haque, Anarul SK, and Mohd Gulam Mustafa, the seizure list of such seized cattle was prepared arbitrarily categorizing the breed and size of seized animals with an intention to reduce the actual price of the cattle during auctions,” the FIR said.
These cattle were then auctioned immediately (within 24 hours of seizure) with the help of the nearest custom station in Jangipur, Murshidabad.
The FIR said since the cattle were shown mostly small in size and of common breed in the seizure memo of the BSF, the auction value of such cattle reduced, which were then procured at a considerably low price by Haque, and other traders due to their nexus with officials of customs department.
It is alleged that, in lieu of such favour, Haque used to pay Rs 2,000 per cattle to BSF officials and Rs 500 to customs officials concerned. Besides, the officials of Indian Customs used to take a bribe of 10 per cent of the auction price from successful bidders like Haque, Mustafa, and Anarul.
It was also alleged that although BSF had not raised any grazing charges on the customs department for feeding the seized cattle, Rs 50 per cattle was to be paid by the successful bidders to the officials of BSF.
