ED Arrests Former Minister Sujit Bose in Major Recruitment Scam
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Sujit Bose, a former minister and key Trinamool Congress leader, following a lengthy interrogation regarding a municipal recruitment scam. Accusations of money laundering have surfaced, with the agency questioning the legitimacy of substantial funds deposited in his restaurant's accounts during the pandemic. Concerns about evidence tampering and illegal recruitment practices have also been raised, as the investigation unfolds. This case highlights significant corruption issues within local governance, prompting further scrutiny into Bose's political influence and business dealings.
May 13, 2026, 17:31 IST
Sujit Bose Arrested After Extensive Interrogation
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprehended Sujit Bose, a prominent leader of the Trinamool Congress and former Minister of Fire and Emergency Services, following an extensive interrogation lasting over ten hours related to a municipal recruitment scam. Investigators have accused him of being involved in a large-scale money laundering scheme and have sought a ten-day remand for the former minister, which was granted by the session court. The central agency revealed that several bank accounts linked to Bose and his family reportedly contained millions of rupees, including accounts associated with his Chinese restaurant business. The agency raised questions about how one of his restaurants managed to generate sales of ₹1.11 crore during the COVID-19 lockdown, a period when the restaurant industry faced significant losses.
Concerns Over Evidence Tampering
The ED informed the court that during the nationwide lockdown due to the pandemic, ₹1.11 crore was deposited into the account of his Chinese restaurant, which they claim is indicative of money laundering. The agency pointed to several suspicious cash transactions, including deposits of ₹68 lakh, ₹1.75 crore, and ₹1.79 crore into accounts linked to Bose's businesses. Furthermore, the lawyer argued that Bose failed to provide satisfactory answers to numerous questions during the interrogation, warning that releasing him could severely hinder the investigation. They stated, 'We asked him several questions, but he could not answer all of them. If we do not take him into custody, he might alert others, tamper with evidence, and obstruct our investigation.'
Allegations of Corruption in Local Recruitment
The agency further alleged that Bose, leveraging his political influence, could destroy digital evidence and manipulate documents if not taken into custody immediately. Additionally, the ED claimed that approximately 150 individuals were illegally recruited in the South Dum Dum municipality through corrupt practices. The agency named Ayan Sheel and Nitai Dutta as alleged accomplices in this operation, describing it as another instance of corruption similar to the initial recruitment scam.