Soon after the conclusion of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into the alleged municipal recruitment corruption case, summoning two senior ministers of the state government for questioning.
State Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose appeared before ED officials at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake on Friday, complying with a directive from the Calcutta High Court. However, after several hours of interrogation, he was issued a fresh summons to appear again on May 6—just a day after the election results are scheduled to be declared. On the same day, another minister, Rathin Ghosh, has also been asked to present himself before the agency.
According to sources, the ED had earlier summoned Bose multiple times in connection with the case. However, he had been unable to attend, citing his responsibilities as a candidate for the Bidhannagar constituency during the elections.
Seeking relief, Bose approached the Calcutta High Court for exemption from personal appearance. The bench led by Justice Krishna Rao, however, directed him to appear before the agency on May 1. Acting on the court’s order, the minister presented himself at the ED office on Friday.
ED officials said that following Friday’s interrogation, Bose has been asked to produce documents related to his movable assets during his next appearance on May 6. The agency intends to scrutinise these records as part of its ongoing investigation. The probe has already seen search operations at the minister’s residence and office. Additionally, his son, Samudra, has also been questioned by the agency in connection with the case.
Attention has also turned to Ghosh, the TMC candidate from Madhyamgram and a state minister. Like Bose, Ghosh had earlier sought time from the ED, citing election-related engagements.
The agency had conducted extensive searches at his residence in October 2023 as part of the investigation. Officials believe that the statements and documents provided by both ministers could play a crucial role in uncovering the alleged irregularities in municipal recruitment.
The timing of the summons, scheduled for May 6, just a day after the vote counting on May 4, has sparked intense political speculation. With two prominent ministers called in simultaneously, political observers suggest that the developments could have significant ramifications in the state’s political landscape.
As West Bengal awaits election results, the parallel escalation of central agency action has further heightened tensions, setting the stage for a potentially volatile political phase in the days ahead.
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