123 Kolkata: In its probe into the ration scam, ED on Monday collected handwriting samples from former minister Jyoti Priya Mallick in connection with a letter discovered from SSKM Hospital in Dec 2023.Mallick appeared at the 19th metropolitan magistrate's court in the afternoon for the collection process. The samples would be immediately forwarded for a forensic examination, a source said.The court granted permission last month for the handwriting examination.ED sources said Mallick allegedly wrote a letter to his daughter Priyadarshini while he was hospitalised in Dec 2023. It was confiscated by CRPF personnel and subsequently handed over to ED.The letter allegedly contains details of financial transactions and mentions a former Bongaon municipal chief, who was also arrested in the case. It also allegedly contains instructions about money laundering and collection of funds from the ration distribution network.ED officials earlier said in court that the letter had provided significant leads, including names of influential individuals involved in ration corruption.