Investigation – ED Calls Former Bengal Minister Again in Municipal Jobs Probe
Investigation – The Enforcement Directorate has issued a fresh notice to former West Bengal minister Rathin Ghosh for another round of questioning in connection with the alleged cash-for-jobs recruitment case linked to municipal bodies in the state.
The central agency has directed Ghosh, a senior Trinamool Congress leader and four-time MLA from the Madhyamgram Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas, to appear before investigators on May 25 at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake, Kolkata. The summons comes on the same day when the results of the Falta Assembly constituency re-poll are expected to be declared.
Earlier Questioning in the Case
This is not the first time the Enforcement Directorate has sought Ghosh’s presence during the ongoing investigation. Over the past several months, the agency has repeatedly summoned him for questioning regarding alleged irregularities in municipal recruitment appointments.
According to officials familiar with the matter, Ghosh had earlier skipped several appearances, reportedly citing political campaign commitments. However, on May 15, he finally attended the ED office where investigators questioned him for nearly 10 hours.
Before entering the office that day, Ghosh briefly told reporters that he was unaware of the exact reasons behind the summons. After the lengthy interrogation session concluded, he left the premises without addressing the media.
The latest notice indicates that investigators are continuing to examine his role and seek further clarification on several aspects of the alleged recruitment scam.
Link to Wider Municipal Recruitment Probe
The municipal jobs investigation has widened significantly over the past year, drawing the attention of multiple central agencies. The case relates to allegations that appointments in several urban civic bodies were secured through illegal financial transactions.
Another prominent Trinamool Congress leader, former fire services minister Sujit Bose, is also under the scanner in the same matter. Bose, who previously represented the Bidhannagar Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas, is currently in ED custody as part of the ongoing investigation. He was defeated in the recent Assembly election from his home constituency.
Investigators believe the recruitment irregularities may involve a larger network of politically connected individuals and intermediaries.
Probe Expanded After Earlier Raids
The Enforcement Directorate reportedly first uncovered details linked to the municipalities recruitment case while conducting raids in connection with a separate money laundering investigation related to the school jobs scam in West Bengal.
During those searches, officials examined properties associated with businessman and promoter Ayan Shil, who is considered close to certain Trinamool Congress circles. Documents and materials recovered during those operations allegedly pointed toward possible irregularities in civic body recruitments as well.
Following these developments, the Central Bureau of Investigation also launched its own parallel inquiry after receiving directions from the Calcutta High Court.
Political Attention on the Investigation
The case has generated major political attention across West Bengal as the investigation has gradually expanded to include influential leaders and former ministers. Officials from both the ED and the CBI have continued examining financial records, recruitment documents, and communication trails connected to municipal appointments.
Sources associated with the investigation claim that several individuals with political influence have come under scrutiny as agencies attempt to establish whether recruitment procedures were manipulated in exchange for money.
The Trinamool Congress leadership has repeatedly maintained that the law should take its own course, while opposition parties have continued targeting the ruling establishment over corruption allegations linked to recruitment-related cases in the state.
As the investigation progresses, more rounds of questioning and additional summons are expected in the coming weeks.