A prominent betel nut (supari) trader in West Bengal’s Nadia district fell under the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) scanner on Friday as the central agency carried out simultaneous searches at his residence and godown.
Although the ED has not issued an official statement on the nature of the investigation, officials were seen scrutinising business documents, financial records and other materials at both locations, with the help of bank officials.
The searches kicked off at around 5 am at two locations in Nabadwip, including the trader’s residence on Manipur Ghat Road in Ward No. 19 and a nearby godown belonging to businessman Ashok Adhikari.
Two ED teams, escorted by Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel, arrived in a convoy of five vehicles and launched coordinated search operations.
Security was tightened around the premises as CAPF personnel cordoned off the residence and the godown while the searches were underway. Residents gathered outside the area as news of the operation spread through the town.
Adhikari, regarded as an influential businessman in the locality, is engaged in the betel nut trade and is learnt to have business interests in Assam, including Guwahati, as well as Tripura and other states in northeastern India.
The searches continued for several hours, and there was no immediate confirmation from the ED on whether any documents, cash, valuables or electronic devices had been seized.