TOI reported that with two IAS officers already in custody, the CID is now zeroing in on a former minister for his alleged role in the iron ore scam in which West Bengal Essential Commodities Supply Corporation Ltd lost more than INR 300 crore.

Investigators have reasons to believe that most of the board members were aware of the financial irregularities. Significantly, the minister in charge of food department is the ex officio chairman of the board and he can't deny his role in such important decisions, hinted a CID officer. He confirmed that they may question the then minister after going through the records.

Records said that the decision of supplying iron ore to some Chinese firms was taken during the tenure of Mr Kalimuddin Shams and it was operation in the end of 2004 during former Forward Bloc MLA and then minister Mr Naren De's regime.

According to the formation of Corporation's board of directors, the minister in charge acts as the chairman and the managing director is the ex officio secretary. Apart from the duo, a bureaucrat from the finance department and the principal secretary of the food department are the members of the board.

The investigators claimed that a few members of the board pointed out some financial irregularities in export business, but the influential section of the board ignored their objection and allowed the corporation to pay five installments to the shipping company in advance.

When contacted, former food minister Mr Naren De said that "I took charge after Kalimuddin Shams and it is true that during my tenure the export was done. If CID wants to interrogate me, I would cooperate."

The investigators said that along with De, they may speak to his successor Paresh Adhikary since the scam was detected during his tenure.

Mr Adhikary said that "In May 2006, I took charge and I was informed about the scam after few months. I ordered an inquiry and found some of our employees involved. Police complaint was made in 2007.”

He hinted that several documents related to the scam are missing and it was spotted during the departmental inquiry. CID officers also admitted that some crucial documents are missing including some financial detail and some letters. Another officer said that "We are trying to recover the lost documents that may provide fresh clues.”

(Sourced from TOI)