Bengal minister Sujit Bose appears at ED office after skipping 3 summons in municipality job scam
Synopsis
West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose finally walked into the ED's Salt Lake office on 1 May — but only after skipping three summons, seeking court relief, and waiting out two phases of Assembly elections. The municipality recruitment scam now has two sitting TMC ministers in its crosshairs, with ED raids dating back to October 2023.
Key Takeaways
Sujit Bose , West Bengal Fire Services Minister, appeared before the ED at Salt Lake, Kolkata on 1 May after skipping three earlier summons.
The Calcutta High Court had granted him temporary relief during elections but made post-poll appearance mandatory.
The case relates to a multi-crore municipality recruitment scam in West Bengal.
Food and Supplies Minister Rathin Ghosh was also summoned in the same case; ED raided his home in October 2023 .
ED conducted raids at Bose's office and residence in January 2024 and October 2025 .
Both Bose ( Bidhannagar ) and Ghosh ( Madhyamgram ) contested the second phase of polls on 29 April .
West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at its Salt Lake office in Kolkata on Friday, 1 May, after skipping three earlier summons in connection with the multi-crore municipalities' recruitment scam. The appearance came under the directives of the Calcutta High Court, which had granted him temporary relief from questioning during the Assembly election campaign period but made post-election appearance mandatory.
Background: Three Summons, Three No-Shows
The ED had issued repeated notices to Bose for questioning in the municipalities' recruitment corruption case ahead of the recently concluded two-phase West Bengal Assembly elections for 294 constituencies. The minister declined to appear on all three occasions, citing a busy campaign schedule as justification.
He subsequently approached the Calcutta High Court seeking relief from interrogation. The court granted him a temporary stay on appearance but categorically ruled that he would have to present himself at the ED office once the elections concluded. Bose appeared on Friday morning, accompanied by his legal counsel. Both he and his counsel declined to respond to questions from media persons gathered outside the ED office.
What the Municipality Recruitment Scam Involves
The ED's investigation centres on alleged irregularities in recruitment processes across municipalities in West Bengal, a case that has drawn scrutiny to several senior state government functionaries. The agency has been conducting raids and questioning in the matter since at least October 2023.
Notably, state Food and Supplies Minister Rathin Ghosh was also summoned in the same case. The ED questioned Ghosh in October 2023 and conducted a search at his residence at the time. Bose's office and residence were raided by the ED in January 2024 and again in October 2025, with searches also conducted at the premises of some of his close associates.
Electoral Context
A three-time All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA, Bose is contesting the Assembly elections from the Bidhannagar constituency in North 24 Parganas district, seeking a fourth consecutive term. Ghosh is contesting from the Madhyamgram constituency in the same district. Both seats went to polls in the second phase on 29 April.
What Happens Next
With Bose's appearance now on record, the ED is expected to proceed with its questioning. The outcome of the investigation could have significant political and legal implications for the TMC government in West Bengal, particularly as election results loom. The agency has not yet publicly disclosed the specific allegations it intends to question Bose about.
Point of View
Seeks judicial cover during an election window, and appears only when the court leaves no alternative. This is not an isolated incident — West Bengal's municipality recruitment scam has now ensnared two serving cabinet ministers, with ED raids spanning nearly two years. The broader question is whether the investigation will accelerate post-elections or stall again in legal corridors. For voters in Bidhannagar and Madhyamgram, who cast their ballots on 29 April, the timing of Bose's compliance — after, not before, the vote — is a detail that deserves scrutiny.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sujit Bose appear at the ED office on 1 May?
West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose appeared at the ED's Salt Lake office in Kolkata on 1 May following a Calcutta High Court directive that made his post-election appearance mandatory. He had previously skipped three ED summons citing his Assembly election campaign schedule.
What is the West Bengal municipality recruitment scam?
The municipality recruitment scam involves alleged irregularities in hiring processes across municipal bodies in West Bengal. The ED has been investigating the case since at least October 2023, conducting raids and questioning senior state government officials including two sitting cabinet ministers.
Which other minister has been summoned by the ED in this case?
State Food and Supplies Minister Rathin Ghosh was also summoned by the ED in the same municipality recruitment corruption case. He was questioned in October 2023 and his residence was searched at that time.
How many times did the ED raid Sujit Bose's premises?
The ED conducted raids at Sujit Bose's office and residence on two occasions — in January 2024 and October 2025 — and also searched the premises of some of his close associates as part of the investigation.
What is Sujit Bose's political background?
Sujit Bose is a three-time All India Trinamool Congress MLA contesting from the Bidhannagar constituency in North 24 Parganas district, seeking re-election in the 2025 West Bengal Assembly elections. The Bidhannagar seat went to polls in the second phase on 29 April.
