ED Action in Bengal Municipality Recruitment Scam:

Kolkata-Durgapur : In a major development in the alleged West Bengal Municipality Recruitment Scam, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Kolkata Zonal Office, has arrested former West Bengal Minister and former MLA Sujit Bose under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

According to officials, Sujit Bose was arrested on May 11, 2026, under Section 19(1) of the PMLA after extensive investigation into alleged irregularities and illegal appointments in several municipalities across West Bengal.

Following his arrest, Bose was produced before the Special PMLA Court at Bichar Bhavan in Kolkata. The court granted the Enforcement Directorate 10 days of custody for further interrogation and investigation into the alleged money laundering network linked to the recruitment scam.

ED Alleges Non-Cooperation During Investigation

Enforcement Directorate officials stated that Sujit Bose had been summoned multiple times during the course of the investigation for recording of statements and questioning. However, according to the agency, he repeatedly avoided appearing before investigators by citing various reasons, including official engagements and requests for adjournments.

Officials alleged that even during his eventual appearances before the agency, Bose remained evasive and failed to cooperate fully with investigators.

The ED claimed that crucial questions regarding recruitment procedures, alleged illegal financial transactions, and acquisition of assets were either avoided or answered inadequately during examination sessions.

Investigators now believe that Bose may have played a significant role in facilitating illegal appointments in municipal bodies in exchange for financial benefits and valuable properties.

Multiple Flats and Crores in Cash Under Scanner

According to the Enforcement Directorate, the investigation under PMLA has revealed that Sujit Bose allegedly received “direct proceeds of crime” in the form of multiple flats and large cash transactions in return for ensuring jobs for various individuals in municipalities across the state.

Investigators further alleged that huge amounts of cash running into crores of rupees were later laundered through purported business ventures and financial channels to conceal the origin of the money.

The ED claims that the money trail points toward a wider organized recruitment racket involving political leaders, public servants, middlemen, and private entities.

Officials are currently examining bank accounts, property documents, digital records, and financial transactions to identify the complete flow of alleged illegal funds.

Investigation Began After CBI FIR

The Enforcement Directorate initiated its money laundering investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI probe itself had been ordered following directions from the Calcutta High Court.

ED officials stated that the agency had earlier filed a status report before the Calcutta High Court in connection with the matter titled Soumen Nandy Vs The State of West Bengal & Others.

The report reportedly highlighted alleged large-scale illegalities in recruitment processes for various posts across municipalities in West Bengal.

According to investigators, the alleged scam extended beyond a few isolated recruitments and involved systematic manipulation of examination and appointment procedures.

Link to Earlier Teachers Recruitment Scam Investigation

The municipality recruitment scam reportedly surfaced during earlier investigations conducted by the ED in the West Bengal Primary Teachers Recruitment Scam.

During searches conducted in 2023 at premises linked to businessman Ayan Sil and others, investigators recovered several incriminating documents, digital devices, and sensitive records.

Scrutiny of the seized material allegedly revealed that irregularities were not limited to teacher recruitment alone but extended to municipal appointments in multiple civic bodies across the state.

Officials stated that municipalities allegedly affected by the scam include:

• Kanchrapara
• New Barrackpore
• Kamarhati
• Titagarh
• Baranagar
• Halisahar
• South Dum Dum
• Dum Dum
• Several other municipal bodies

The recruitment process allegedly involved appointments for various posts such as:

• Mazdoors
• Sweepers
• Clerks
• Peons
• Ambulance attendants
• Assistant mistries
• Pump operators
• Helpers
• Sanitary assistants
• Drivers

Investigators suspect that several appointments were made illegally in exchange for money and political influence.

Role of ABS Infozon Pvt Ltd Under Investigation

According to the ED, one private company — M/s ABS Infozon Pvt Ltd — allegedly played a central role in the recruitment scam.

The company, whose director is identified as Ayan Sil, was reportedly given contracts related to:

• Printing question papers
• Designing OMR sheets
• Evaluating examination answer sheets
• Preparing merit lists

The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Ayan Sil, in conspiracy with influential political leaders, public servants, and other private individuals, manipulated OMR sheets and examination records to facilitate illegal appointments.

Officials claim that the manipulation enabled several “unmeritorious candidates” to secure jobs in municipalities in exchange for monetary considerations.

The ED suspects that recruitment procedures were deliberately compromised to benefit selected candidates connected to influential networks.

Earlier Searches Yielded Cash, Property Documents

The Enforcement Directorate had earlier conducted searches at multiple locations linked to the recruitment scam, including premises associated with Sujit Bose and other political leaders.

During these raids, investigators reportedly seized:

• Property documents
• Digital devices
• Financial records
• Cash amounting to approximately ₹3.45 crore

The ED believes the recovered material could provide evidence regarding money laundering operations linked to the alleged recruitment scam.

Investigators are also examining whether proceeds generated through illegal recruitments were invested in real estate, shell businesses, or other financial ventures.

Other Political Figures Also Under Scanner

The investigation has also brought several other political figures and municipal functionaries under scrutiny.

Earlier searches were conducted at premises linked to Rathin Ghosh, MLA and former Minister of Food & Supplies in West Bengal, along with officials associated with municipal bodies.

Officials stated that the investigation aims to uncover whether a larger organized network existed to manipulate public recruitment processes in exchange for money.

The ED suspects that influential intermediaries and administrative officials may have coordinated recruitment activities across different municipalities.

Political Reactions Intensify in Bengal

The arrest of Sujit Bose has triggered sharp political reactions across West Bengal. Opposition parties have accused the ruling establishment of widespread corruption in public recruitment systems and demanded stricter accountability.

Political observers say the case could intensify tensions in the state ahead of future elections, especially as multiple recruitment-related investigations continue to unfold.

Meanwhile, leaders associated with the ruling party have accused central agencies of political targeting and misuse of investigative powers.

The case has once again sparked debate over transparency in public recruitment systems and the growing role of central investigative agencies in politically sensitive corruption cases.

Recruitment Scams Raise Questions on Governance

The alleged municipality recruitment scam has renewed concerns regarding fairness and transparency in government hiring processes.

Investigators believe that manipulation of examinations and merit lists damages public trust and unfairly deprives deserving candidates of employment opportunities.

The alleged scam has also raised serious concerns regarding the security of examination systems, outsourcing of recruitment processes, and political influence in public appointments.

Cyber forensic teams and financial investigators are currently analyzing seized digital devices and documents to identify:

• Additional beneficiaries
• Financial transaction trails
• Recruitment manipulation methods
• Political connections
• Hidden assets
• Communication records between accused individuals

ED Says Probe Still Continuing

The Enforcement Directorate has confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing and further arrests cannot be ruled out.

Officials stated that more individuals connected to the alleged money laundering and recruitment network may be questioned in the coming weeks.

The agency is also expected to examine whether additional municipal bodies and government departments were affected by similar irregularities.

Meanwhile, the prosecution complaint already filed against Ayan Sil before the Special PMLA Court in Kolkata remains a crucial part of the ongoing investigation.

As the probe deepens, the municipality recruitment scam is emerging as one of the most significant corruption investigations in West Bengal, with political, financial, and administrative implications that could continue unfolding in the months ahead.