Purulia, 24 July (H.S.): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at the residence and restaurant of a businessman in Parbelia Bazaar under Nituriya police station limits in West Bengal's Purulia district in connection with an alleged bank fraud case.

According to sources, the businessman has been identified as Suraj Vishwakarma. The ED team, accompanied by Central Armed Police Force personnel, began the search operation at around 6 a.m. at his residence and his establishment, Suraj Family Restaurant. Security was tightened in the area during the operation.

Officials said Vishwakarma was present at his residence when the raid was conducted and was questioned by the investigating officers. The searches are part of an ongoing probe into an alleged fraud involving a multinational bank. The agency is examining financial records and other documents linked to the case.

The ED has been conducting a series of searches across West Bengal in recent months in connection with financial irregularities, including chit fund cases and the alleged municipal recruitment scam.

Recently, the agency also carried out searches at eight locations, including Kolkata and Bongaon, in connection with an alleged fraud in which people were reportedly duped on the promise of securing government benefits. According to the ED, nearly 20,000 depositors were allegedly cheated of around Rs 165 crore through the scheme. Investigators believe the network was spread across several parts of the state.

The latest operation in Purulia is part of the agency's continuing crackdown on financial crimes and alleged fraud cases in West Bengal.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey