The clues gathered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) suggest that suspended TMC strongman Anubrata Mandal has a direct link in the cattle smuggling case.
The CBI has got its hands on crucial documents that establish Mandal’s direct link with Border Security Force (BSF) commandant Satish Kumar, in the scam.
READ MORE: Anubrata’s Arrest: Oppositions Justify It, TMC Silent
The scam came to the fore through a CBI investigation in India (West Bengal)-Bangladesh border area that stretches through 2,216 km.
The investing agency is probing how the properties of Mandal and his close associates increased phenomenally in the last few years.
Sources told The New Indian that the CBI is keeping a constant watch on political leaders close to Mandal. The agency is also trying to plug several missing links and trying to zero in on those suspected of being involved in the smuggling. Smugglers and racketeers are also under CBI scanner in the case.
The CBI is probing the case with the help of clues and documents while scanning the income of Mandal, his family members as well as his associates.
Sources revealed that Mandal used to charge money for safely transporting the cattle from border areas of West Bengal to Bangladesh.
Earlier, the CBI said that Mandal allegedly used to provide protection to smugglers/miscreants “in return for regular payments”.
READ MORE: Cattle Smuggling Scam: TMC Hints At Bias In Probe
In June, the CBI arrested Saigal Hossain, who had been appointed as Mandal’s personal security. The agency raised doubts over Hossain’s disproportionate wealth — his property’s worth and his fixed salary as a personal security.
The cattle involved in the illegal trade, along the periphery of West Bengal on India- Bangladesh border, were sourced from several states.
The cattle, priced between Rs 80,000 and Rs 50,000 in Bangladesh, are smuggled from India, whereas in India, the cows are brought for lesser price.