A former West Bengal minister's name has emerged during the interrogation of Ajit Mahata, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader arrested on the night of 29 October 2026 on charges of extorting ₹10 lakh from a job aspirant by falsely promising him government employment. The development deepens what is already a politically sensitive cash-for-job case originating from Jhargram district.

What Interrogation Has Revealed

According to a state police insider, Mahata reportedly confessed during questioning that the job aspirant in question had been recommended by the unnamed former minister, who hails from Jhargram — the same district as Mahata himself. The police, however, have not publicly disclosed the former minister's identity, citing the early stage of the investigation.

'Nothing more can be said at this moment, considering that the investigation into the matter is at a preliminary stage,' a state police officer said. Importantly, the former minister's name does not appear in the First Information Report (FIR) registered against Mahata, but investigators have initiated a separate line of inquiry based on Mahata's disclosure during interrogation.

The Complaint and the Arrest

The case was triggered by a complaint filed by Sajal Das, a local resident, who alleged that Mahata collected approximately ₹10 lakh from him in multiple instalments over a period of time, promising to secure him a position in a government office. The recruitments in question were linked to the West Bengal Forest Department and the West Bengal West Regional Development Department.

Das alleged that despite paying the full amount, he never received the promised job. He further claimed that when he approached Mahata seeking either employment or a refund, he was threatened with dire consequences. Acting on the complaint, police conducted a late-night operation and arrested Mahata at his residence on 29 October.

A Pattern of Evasion

Notably, Mahata had been evading arrest for a considerable period despite multiple earlier complaints filed against him at Jhargram Police Station. His eventual arrest came only after the latest complaint prompted a targeted police operation. This raises questions about why earlier complaints did not result in earlier action — a detail investigators have not yet addressed publicly.

Political Profile of the Accused

Mahata was regarded as an influential political figure within Jhargram. He contested the last state Assembly election from the Gopiballabhpur constituency but lost by a wide margin to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rajesh Mahata. His arrest comes at a time when the broader cash-for-job controversy has already put the ruling TMC government under significant scrutiny across West Bengal.

What Comes Next

Investigators are expected to pursue the lead on the former minister as the probe advances beyond its preliminary phase. Whether the unnamed minister faces any formal questioning or is named in supplementary charges will be closely watched. The case adds to a series of government employment-related corruption allegations that have unsettled the political landscape in the state.