Calcutta HC seeks ED report on ex-Bengal minister Sujit Bose's arrest by June 29
Synopsis
A Calcutta High Court bench has asked the ED to explain its arrest of former West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose — a three-time TMC legislator — by 29 June. Bose, accused of illegally recommending around 150 job seekers in the South Dum Dum Municipality scam, was arrested after a 10-hour grilling. The bail hearing on 1 July will be a key moment in one of Bengal's most politically charged corruption probes.
Key Takeaways
Calcutta High Court Justice Jay Sengupta directed the ED to submit a detailed arrest report by 29 June .
Former West Bengal Fire Services Minister and three-time TMC legislator Sujit Bose is in judicial custody after being arrested last month.
Bose is accused of illegally recommending around 150 job seekers for positions in the South Dum Dum Municipality .
The ED alleges corruption proceeds were routed through multiple bank accounts , all under investigation.
An earlier petition to quash the ECIR was rejected by Justice Krishna Rao ; the bail plea will next be heard on 1 July .
The Calcutta High Court on Monday, 15 June directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to submit a detailed report on the arrest of former West Bengal Fire Services Minister and three-time All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Sujit Bose by 29 June, in connection with the multi-crore municipalities' job irregularities case. The order came from a single-judge bench of Justice Jay Sengupta during the first hearing of a bail petition filed by Bose. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for 1 July.
Background to the Arrest
Sujit Bose is currently in judicial custody after ED officials arrested him last month following a marathon interrogation session lasting more than 10 hours. Prior to the arrest, the central probe agency raided his residence, office, and a dhaba he was operating in West Bengal. The raids were part of a widening investigation into alleged corruption in municipal recruitment across the state.
What the ED Has Alleged
According to ED sources, Bose is accused of illegally recommending the names of approximately 150 job seekers for positions in the South Dum Dum Municipality during the municipal recruitment corruption probe. The agency has further claimed that money generated through the alleged corruption was routed through multiple bank accounts, several of which are now under active investigation.
Earlier Legal Moves
Before the matter reached Justice Sengupta's bench, Bose had approached a vacation bench of Justice Krishna Rao seeking the quashing of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) filed against him by the ED. Justice Rao rejected that petition and instead directed Bose's counsel to file a bail application. The bail plea was accordingly moved before Justice Sengupta, whose bench conducted its first hearing on Monday afternoon and issued the directive to the ED.
Wider Context: Bengal's Municipal Corruption Case
The municipalities' job irregularities case has drawn sustained scrutiny from central agencies, with several TMC-linked figures facing investigation. This comes amid a broader pattern of ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probes into alleged recruitment scams in West Bengal — including the high-profile school jobs case — that have placed the ruling TMC government under significant political and legal pressure. Notably, Bose's arrest adds a senior former minister to the growing list of those detained in connection with these investigations.
What Happens Next
The ED is required to place its detailed report before the court by 29 June, after which Justice Sengupta's bench will take up the bail plea on 1 July. The outcome of the bail hearing is expected to be closely watched, given Bose's political stature as a three-time legislator and former cabinet minister in West Bengal.
Point of View
Not just administrative functionaries. The court's demand for a detailed arrest report by 29 June is standard procedure, but the bail hearing on 1 July will test whether the ED's money-trail evidence — centred on multiple bank accounts and a list of 150 alleged beneficiaries — is strong enough to sustain custody. With the school jobs case already reshaping Bengal's political landscape, the municipalities scam adds another front of legal exposure for the ruling party ahead of the next electoral cycle.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Sujit Bose arrested by the ED?
Sujit Bose, a three-time TMC legislator and former West Bengal Fire Services Minister, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the multi-crore municipalities' job irregularities case. He is accused of illegally recommending around 150 job seekers for positions in the South Dum Dum Municipality, with the ED alleging that corruption proceeds were laundered through multiple bank accounts.
What did the Calcutta High Court order on 15 June?
A single-judge bench of Justice Jay Sengupta directed the ED to submit a detailed report on Sujit Bose's arrest by 29 June. The court was hearing a bail petition filed by Bose, with the next hearing scheduled for 1 July.
What happened to Bose's earlier petition to quash the ECIR?
Bose had approached a vacation bench of Justice Krishna Rao seeking the quashing of the Enforcement Case Information Report filed against him. Justice Rao rejected the petition and directed Bose's counsel to file a bail application instead, which was then moved before Justice Sengupta's bench.
What is the South Dum Dum Municipality case about?
The case involves alleged irregularities in municipal job recruitment in West Bengal, where the ED claims positions were filled through corrupt recommendations rather than merit. Bose is specifically accused of recommending approximately 150 candidates, with money allegedly generated from the scheme routed through several bank accounts now under investigation.
