West Bengal CM orders SIT probe into Lakshmir Bhandar fraud

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe a large‑scale fraud in the state’s Lakshmir Bhandar welfare scheme. The CM said that 22 fake bank accounts have been identified where scheme money was deposited, naming several individuals, and warned that “no one will be let off”.

Police have arrested one suspect, Tarikul Islam, in Raghunathganj, Murshidabad, after discovering that the scheme’s funds were withdrawn through eight different accounts, including those of family members and a minor. The investigation is ongoing as the government seeks to verify beneficiary lists and curb further misappropriation.