CBI conduct raids in office and residences of well known businessman

Kolkata, 31 December (HS) : In yet another massive operation to unfold the mysteries behind the multi crore rupees inter state cattle and coal smuggling rackets in West Bengal, the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) sleuths conducted simultaneous raids in a number of office and houses of a well known business tycoon in the city today.

According to CBI sources here this afternoon, separate teams of CBI officials raided the office and three residents of businessman Vinod Mishra at Lake Town, Rashbehari Avenue and Chetla today and recovered  several important documenrs and other items from there.

However, Mishra could not be apprehended as he fled the scene prior to the simultaneous raids and was still absconding, the CBI sources said and informed that, however, a Look Out notice was issued for Mishra. Both Dum Dum Airport and the Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata stations had been alerted to prevent him from fleeing the city, they said.

The alleged involvement of Vinod Mishra into the multi crore rupees  racket  of cattle smuggling to Bangladesh and inter state illegal supply of coal from the coal belt areas of the West Bengal  came to the fore following  interrogation of former BSF Commandant and  infamous coal and cattle mafia Saitsh Kumar, the sources informed.

According to them, both  Mishra and Kumar used to receive money through Hawala transactions before their were deposited in some foreign banks besides making hefty payments to influential people. The name of some ruling party leaders also allegedly came up during Kumar’s interrogation.

Meanwhile, two more people were arrested  in similar raids in Asansol and Raniganj areas of West Burdwan district today by CBI  on charge of their alleged involvement in coal smuggling. They were now being brought to the city for interrogation to know more about the multi billion dollar illegal trade for several years.