New Delhi: A major part of the proceeds of the multi-crore scam in the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in various government schools in West Bengal was invested in the Tollywood film industry, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) told Special Prevention. . Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court here on Friday…
ED counsel Firoz Edulji told the court that an amount of Rs 6.50 crore was transferred from two bank accounts of expelled and arrested Trinamool Congress leader Kuntal Ghosh to several Tollywood actors and actresses.
One such Tollywood actor, Boney Sengupta alias Anupirio Sengupta, had admitted to taking Rs 40 lakh from Ghosh to buy a vehicle and had already returned the amount to the ED late Thursday evening.
However, no other actor or actress who got money from Ghosh has spoken in this matter. Sources said the officials of the central agency would summon him for questioning in the coming days.
The ED’s counsel said that despite being repeatedly asked about the source of such a huge amount, Ghosh could not give a definite answer in the matter.
Even the special court judge was heard telling Ghosh’s counsel that his client should disclose the sources of unaccounted money in his bank account. “If someone earns Rs 5 crore through illegal means and then pays tax on Rs 2 crore, the entire money does not become legal,” the judge said.
Meanwhile, the ED has already frozen 10 bank accounts of Ghosh and 15 of another expelled and arrested Youth Trinamool leader Shantanu Bandopadhyay from where transactions worth several crores were traced by ED officials.
After hearing arguments from both the sides, the special court finally extended Ghosh’s judicial custody till March 30.