Jyotipriya Mallick gets bail

Kolkata: Former minister Jyotipriya Mallick who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the ration distribution scam case was granted bail on Wednesday by the Special PMLA Court, Kolkata.

After complying with the directions given by the court, Mallick was released on Wednesday evening from the Presidency Correctional Home. He returned to his residence in Salt Lake.

It was learnt that he was granted bail on two sureties of Rs 25,000 each and a personal bond of Rs 50 lakh. Mallick’s lawyers appealed for his bail on the ground that the former minister was under a long period of detention and the trial is not likely to commence soon. The counsel representing ED opposed the bail prayer claiming that he was one of the prime accused in the case. Mallick will have to submit his passport and must appear before the investigating agency whenever his presence is required. Also, he cannot talk to the media.

Earlier, the ED had described the former minister as the ‘ringmaster’ of corruption in court. The central agency had stated that Mallick’s name was not initially in the FIR of the ration corruption case. But during the investigation, several documents came into the ED’s possession from which Mallick’s name cropped up. Mallick was arrested by the ED in the ration distribution scam case on October 27, 2023. After his arrest, Mallick fell ill. He had to stay in the hospital for a few days. After recovering, Mallick was sent to judicial custody. The former minister had applied for bail in the court several times but ED had opposed the petition citing that Mallick was quite influential.