ED raids 10 locations in West Bengal over alleged illegal call centre

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday carried out raids at multiple locations in poll-bound West Bengal as part of an investigation into the operations of an alleged illegal call centre operation, officials said. Around 10 premises linked to the network across Siliguri, Howrah, Bidhannagar, and Durgapur were searched.

The probe focuses on the activities of the call centre , which is alleged to have duped several people . Officials did not immediately confirm whether the investigation was linked to political funding or electoral inducements . The individuals being searched include Surashree Kar, Samrat Ghosh, and Subhajit Chakraborty , among others, according to the federal agency.

The Election Commission recently announced the schedule for the West Bengal assembly elections , which will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29 , with counting scheduled for May 4 . On the same day, results will also be declared for Assam, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu , as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry .

The ED’s action comes amid growing scrutiny of illegal financial and operational networks that could influence the upcoming polls. The agency is examining the call centre’s modus operandi , including alleged fraudulent activities targeting individuals .

Officials said the investigation remains active, and further details will be released as the raids continue. The focus of the probe is on preventing electoral malpractice and ensuring that individuals involved in the alleged scam are brought to justice.

The development underscores the intensified regulatory scrutiny ahead of elections, as authorities seek to maintain the integrity of the democratic process in West Bengal and across other states where assembly elections are scheduled.