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Bengal municipal job scam: ED alleges former minister Sujit Bose laundered money via shell companies, eateries

The agency sought 10-day custody of former Bengal minister Sujit Bose, alleging money laundering linked to the municipal recruitment scam.

2 min readKolkataUpdated: May 13, 2026 05:24 AM IST

TMC leader Sujit Bose has been arrested

A city court on Tuesday remanded former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose to Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody till May 21 in connection with the alleged irregularities in municipal recruitment. The ED on Tuesday had sought Bose’s 10-day custody, alleging a massive money-laundering operation where illegal funds from the municipal recruitment scam were “channelled” through personal bank accounts and closed business establishments.

Bose, the former Bidhannagar MLA who lost his seat to BJP’s Dr Sharadwat Mukherjee in the Assembly elections, was arrested late Monday night after over 10 hours of interrogation at the CGO Complex.

The ED argued Bose’s business ventures, including a Chinese restaurant and the popular ‘Bengal Dhaba’ recorded sales worth Rs 1.11 crore during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, a period when the establishments were officially shut and staff had left.

It alleged that approximately Rs 2.2 crore was moved into Bose’s personal account while the dhaba was non-operational.

Investigators claimed that these “mysterious” transactions, involving shell companies such as Swabhumi Projects Private Limited, were used to launder bribe money into land investments and other assets. The agency cited digital data recovered from middleman Ayan Sil, whose firm, ABS Infozon Pvt Ltd, allegedly controlled the entire recruitment process, from printing question papers to evaluating OMR sheets.

The agency also alleged that while serving as the vice-chairman of South Dum Dum municipality (2010–2021), Bose recommended approximately 150 candidates for jobs in exchange for financial benefits. These posts included labourers, sweepers, clerks, and ambulance attendants.

Arguing for custody, ED counsel noted that Bose had skipped three previous summonses and moved the High Court to stall the probe. “As an influential figure, he is likely to tamper with evidence or alert other co-conspirators if released. He has been non-cooperative and is providing inaccurate answers regarding the source of deposits found in his family’s accounts,” ED stated.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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