Kolkata, May 11: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested former West Bengal minister and ex-Trinamool Congress MLA Sujit Bose in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment scam case after nearly 10 hours of marathon questioning at the agency’s office in Kolkata.
According to ED sources, Bose appeared before officials at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake around 11 am on Monday in response to a summons issued by the central investigating agency. Following prolonged interrogation throughout the day, the ED decided to place him under arrest in connection with its ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in municipal recruitments.
Sources said Bose may be produced before a special court on Tuesday. Before his court appearance, he is likely to undergo a mandatory medical examination at a government hospital as per legal procedure.
This was not the first time the former minister had appeared before the ED in the case. Earlier, on May 1, Bose had appeared before the agency after repeated absences during the election period. Following the announcement of elections, he had reportedly skipped multiple summons issued by the ED.
Later, acting on directions from the Calcutta High Court, Bose appeared before investigators after the second phase of polling on May 1. ED officials had questioned him for several hours during that appearance as well.
Investigating officials stated that Bose had been summoned multiple times in the past to the ED office at the Salt Lake CGO Complex as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and irregularities in municipal appointments.
After the declaration of election results, the ED once again summoned the former minister for questioning on Monday. Following extensive interrogation lasting nearly 10 hours, the agency formally arrested him.
Sujit Bose is a prominent Trinamool Congress leader and had previously served as West Bengal’s Fire and Emergency Services Minister. He also held the post of vice-chairman of the South Dum Dum Municipality.
His arrest has triggered significant political reactions in West Bengal, with the development expected to intensify the political debate surrounding corruption allegations and recruitment-related investigations in the state.
