The CBI, in its final charge sheet filed last week in the municipal recruitment corruption case, has revealed sensational details of large-scale irregularities, including the appointment of several candidates even after they allegedly submitted blank answer sheets.
According to the charge sheet, more than a hundred candidates were given jobs in various municipalities across West Bengal in blatant violation of recruitment rules and without proper verification of their qualifications. The central agency has alleged that standard procedures were repeatedly bypassed to facilitate illegal appointments.
CBI sources said the final charge sheet specifically names eight municipalities where irregularities were detected. These include North Dumdum, South Dumdum, Kamarhati and Baranagar municipalities, as well as Titagarh, Ranaghat, Halisahar and Bongaon.
The investigation claims that over 600 illegal appointments were made across these eight civic bodies. It is alleged that merit lists and examination results were frequently ignored during the recruitment process. In several cases, candidates who had applied for one post were allegedly appointed to entirely different posts, a practice investigators say was in complete violation of established recruitment norms.
The charge sheet further alleges a serious lack of transparency in the recruitment process. Appointments were allegedly confirmed without proper scrutiny of answer scripts, and in some cases, despite candidates submitting blank answer sheets. According to the CBI, these irregularities point to the existence of a well-organised corruption racket operating behind the recruitment process.
The case has already seen the arrest of Ayan Shil, from whom investigators recovered a large number of documents and other evidence. Based on these materials, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) traced links to several individuals, including political leaders and public representatives. The name of West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose has also surfaced in connection with the probe.
A few days ago, the ED conducted raids at the minister’s office, his restaurant and several related business establishments. During the searches, officials reportedly seized diaries, digital data, transaction records and documents linked to suspected financial irregularities. The seized materials are currently under detailed examination, and members of the minister’s family have also been questioned.
With the final charge sheet now submitted, the developments have intensified political and public scrutiny, as attention turns to the next course of action in one of the state’s most high-profile corruption cases.
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