The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused former West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose of being a key beneficiary in a multi-crore municipality recruitment scam. Bose’s arrest on May 11 came after he repeatedly avoided cooperating with the investigation into money laundering allegations. Despite being summoned multiple times, Bose failed to provide statements, citing various reasons for adjournments. When he finally appeared for questioning, his responses were described as evasive, showing a lack of cooperation.
The ED’s investigation revealed that Bose allegedly received proceeds of crime in the form of luxury flats, exchanged for ensuring appointments in various municipalities. Additionally, the agency claimed that Bose accumulated illegal cash amounting to crores, which was then laundered through his business ventures to legitimize the money. The probe, initiated based on a CBI FIR and Calcutta High Court directives, uncovered a conspiracy involving the manipulation of OMR sheets across different civic bodies.
According to the ED, the scam spanned several civic bodies like South Dum Dum, Baranagar, and Halisahar, involving positions from clerks to teachers and sweepers to drivers. The irregularities extended beyond teachers’ recruitment, covering appointments in municipalities like Kanchrapara, New Barrackpore, Kamarhati, Titagarh, Baranagar, and Dum Dum. Allegedly, positions such as sweepers, clerks, peons, ambulance attendants, pump operators, and drivers were filled through illegal means.
The ED alleged that a single company, ABS Infozon Pvt Ltd, led by Ayan Sil, was awarded contracts for recruitment processes in multiple municipalities. Investigators claimed the company manipulated OMR sheets and merit lists to secure appointments for unmeritorious candidates in exchange for favors. During searches related to the scam, around Rs 3.45 crore in cash, along with incriminating property documents and digital devices, were seized. Bose is currently in ED custody for 10 days as the agency seeks to uncover other political figures involved in the recruitment racket.
