The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted its final chargesheet in the cash-for-municipalities jobs case in West Bengal at a special court in Kolkata. Jyotishman Chattopadhyay, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been named as an accused in the chargesheet. Chattopadhyay held significant roles in the West Bengal Directorate of Local Bodies and the state Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Department during the alleged scam period.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that CBI officials had conducted search operations at Chattopadhyay’s residence, seizing crucial documents related to his alleged involvement in the municipalities’ jobs case. The chargesheet also includes ABS Infozone Private Limited, a corporate entity owned by middleman Ayan Shil, as an accused. Shil is known as a crucial intermediary in the municipalities’ recruitment scam.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initially uncovered the municipalities’ jobs scam during raids at Shil’s residence a couple of years ago in connection with the cash-for-school jobs case in West Bengal. Following directions from the Calcutta High Court, the CBI launched an investigation into the municipalities’ recruitment irregularities and later arrested Shil in the case.
CBI and ED investigators, conducting parallel probes into the municipalities’ and school jobs cases, have identified unauthorised assets exceeding Rs 100 crore allegedly owned by Shil. Last year, the ED alerted investigators about suspected shell companies used to divert crime proceeds. Subsequently, the ED received information about multiple companies associated with the municipalities’ recruitment corruption case and conducted raids at various locations, including Beliaghata in north Kolkata.
