Bengal municipalities job scam: Sujit Bose gets Division-1 prisoner status, custody extended by 14 days

He will now be produced in court on June 18, virtually.

Appearing on behalf of the ED, Deputy Solicitor General Dhiraj Trivedi said, “They have gone to the Calcutta High Court vacation bench in this case. Also summons were sent to Nitai Dutt [Deputy Mayor of South Dum Dum Municipality, known to be close to Bose] for questioning. He said that he is undergoing treatment in Hyderabad. He said that he will appear this month. But he has not done so yet.” The ED counsel claimed that a list of names of candidates appointed in this case was found upon searching, and several digital devices have also been seized.

The ED counsel further submitted, “We have some more incriminating information in our hands. We want to question Bose and others about it. Sujit is an influential political figure. Our grounds for remand are to confront the accused with documents, prevent tampering of evidence, and also to identify the benami transaction and cash deposits…Asking for [another] 14 days judicial custody.”

On the other hand, Bose’s counsel argued that his client’s name was not in the CBI chargesheet and that there was no mention of money transactions either. His client’s role did not come up in the statements of any of the accused either, he added.

Bose’ counsel said, “There is no new material… The ED said that one officer and some functionaries have been involved. In the supplementary chargesheet by the CBI, there is no mention of Bose either in the statements given by the accused. They are alleging that kickbacks were given, how I have got it, the quantity of it — these have not been revealed. This is done with malafide intention. There is nothing regarding the money trail or predicated offence link shown with my client and the undeserving candidates. The ED is unable to show any link regarding the proceeds of the crime and the money in the bank account.”

Sujit Bose’s son was also present in court during the hearing.

‘Recruitment scam’

Bose has been accused of illegally recommending names of job seekers in the South Dum Dum Municipality. According to ED sources, the list contains the names of around 150 job-seekers. The ED claims that the money earned through the alleged corruption went into bank accounts. Therefore, information related to multiple bank accounts is also being investigated. The ED had earlier raided the house and office of Bose, along with a dhaba said to be owned by his son, before arresting Sujit Bose on May 11.

The TMC leader had also contested the recently concluded state Assembly elections from his old constituency, Bidhannagar, but was defeated by the BJP candidate.