A team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed searches at the Bolpur residence of West Bengal minister Chandranath Sinha in Birbhum district on Friday as part of their ongoing investigation into an alleged school recruitment scam, officials reported.
Accompanied by a significant deployment of central forces, the ED team arrived at Sinha's residence around 9:15 am to initiate the search, according to sources familiar with the matter.
However, Sinha, who oversees the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles (MSME) portfolios in the Mamata Banerjee-led government, was not present at his residence during the search.
He was reported to be at his ancestral house in Murarai, approximately 90 km away.
An official stated, "The search is part of the investigation into the alleged irregularities in the school recruitment scam. While the minister is not currently at his residence, we are in discussion with his family."
Previously, Sinha had been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in cases related to cattle and coal smuggling.
Simultaneously, the ED was conducting raids at the residences of several businessmen in various parts of Kolkata, including Lake Town, Chetla, and Ballygunge, as part of their inquiries into the suspected recruitment scam, officials confirmed.
These businessmen were under suspicion for their alleged involvement in illegally transferring funds from India to other countries.
Officials stated that they were engaging with the individuals and scrutinizing relevant documents during the operation.
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