ACB raids Jhargram official's home in Bengal corruption probe
Synopsis
West Bengal's Anti-Corruption Bureau raided the Jhargram home of a Food and Supplies Department official who skipped a summons — the latest move in a corruption probe targeting seven government employees. The suspect is absconding, his wife is being questioned, and the BJP-led government under CM Suvendu Adhikari has made anti-corruption enforcement a centrepiece of its early tenure.
Key Takeaways
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) raided the residence of Thakurdas Baske in Nripenpalli, Jhargram on 23 August .
Baske, an Inspector in the Food and Supplies Department posted in Bankura , failed to appear before the ACB despite being summoned.
Six of seven officials under investigation complied with summons; Baske is currently absconding .
His wife is being questioned; it is unclear whether any documents were recovered in the search.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has declared a zero tolerance policy on corruption under the BJP -led West Bengal government.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of West Bengal conducted a search operation at the residence of Thakurdas Baske, an Inspector with the state's Food and Supplies Department currently posted in Bankura district, at his home in Nripenpalli, Jhargram, on Saturday, 23 August. The raid came after Baske failed to appear before the ACB office, even as six of the seven officials summoned in the broader corruption inquiry reportedly complied.
What Triggered the Raid
According to reports, the ACB is investigating corruption allegations against a total of seven officials of the Food and Supplies Department. All seven were asked to present themselves before the bureau. While six officials appeared as directed, Baske was conspicuously absent, prompting investigators to move to his Jhargram residence. He was not found at home during the search and is currently reported to be absconding. His wife is being questioned by officials, according to sources.
What Investigators Found
An Inspector and a Sub-Inspector of the ACB carried out the search at the Nripenpalli address. It is not yet confirmed whether any documents or other materials of evidentiary value were recovered during the operation. The exact nature of the corruption allegations against the seven officials has not been officially disclosed by the bureau.
A senior police officer confirmed the operation, stating: 'On Saturday morning, the officers of the Anti-Corruption Bureau started a search operation in different parts of Jhargram city. Then they reached Thakurdas Baske's house in Nripenpalli and searched there. The investigators are probing his role into the allegations of corruption against him and whether anyone else is involved in this corruption case.'
Political Context: Zero Tolerance Under New Government
The raids come in the backdrop of a change in government in West Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has publicly signalled a zero tolerance policy on corruption, extortion, and other criminal activities since assuming office. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state administration has moved against several leaders of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), with police arresting multiple TMC figures on charges including extortion, molestation, and intimidation in recent weeks.
What Comes Next
The ACB's investigation into the Food and Supplies Department is ongoing. With Baske still at large, officials are expected to escalate efforts to locate him. The outcome of his wife's questioning and any materials recovered from the premises could shape the next phase of the probe. Whether additional officials beyond the current seven will come under scrutiny remains to be seen.
Point of View
Not just raids and press moments. The fact that the specific nature of the corruption allegations remains undisclosed is a transparency gap the government should address. With one suspect absconding and no confirmed recoveries, the investigation is at an early and fragile stage.
NationPress
23 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the ACB raid Thakurdas Baske's house in Jhargram?
The ACB raided Thakurdas Baske's residence in Nripenpalli, Jhargram on 23 August because he failed to appear before the bureau despite being summoned in connection with a corruption probe involving seven Food and Supplies Department officials. He is currently absconding.
What is the corruption case about in West Bengal's Food and Supplies Department?
The ACB is investigating corruption allegations against seven officials of West Bengal's Food and Supplies Department. The exact nature of the allegations has not been officially disclosed by the bureau as of the latest reports.
Who is Thakurdas Baske?
Thakurdas Baske is an Inspector in West Bengal's Food and Supplies Department, currently posted in Bankura district. He is one of seven officials under investigation by the ACB and is reportedly absconding after failing to comply with a summons.
What has the West Bengal government said about corruption?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has declared a zero tolerance policy on corruption, extortion, and criminal activity since the BJP-led government came to power. Several Trinamool Congress leaders have been arrested in recent weeks on related charges.
Were any documents or materials recovered during the Jhargram raid?
It is not yet confirmed whether any documents or materials of evidentiary significance were recovered during the search of Baske's residence. Officials have not issued a formal statement on the findings.
