The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose in connection with a civic job scam. Bose was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after being questioned for 11 hours, sources said.
Details of the Arrest
According to ED officials, Bose was summoned for questioning earlier in the day at the agency's office in Kolkata. The interrogation lasted nearly 11 hours, following which he was formally arrested. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in recruitment to municipal bodies in West Bengal, where candidates were reportedly asked to pay bribes in exchange for jobs.
Background of the Scam
The scam came to light after several complaints were filed alleging that a network of TMC leaders and officials had been collecting money from job aspirants. The ED initiated a money laundering probe based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the West Bengal Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT). Bose, who served as a minister in the state government, is accused of being a key figure in the racket.
Political Reactions
The arrest has sparked sharp reactions from political parties. The TMC has termed the action as politically motivated, accusing the central government of using investigative agencies to target opposition leaders. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed the arrest, calling it a step towards ending corruption in the state.
Legal Proceedings
Bose is expected to be produced before a special PMLA court in Kolkata on Wednesday. The ED is likely to seek his custody for further interrogation. This is the latest in a series of arrests in the municipal job scam, which has already seen several TMC functionaries being taken into custody.
The development comes ahead of the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, adding to the political heat in the state. The ED's investigation is ongoing, and more arrests cannot be ruled out.
