West Bengal ACB arrests Raghunathpur Municipality engineer on corruption charges
Synopsis
West Bengal's Anti-Corruption Branch has arrested a suspended municipal engineer from Purulia on charges spanning fund misappropriation, tender fraud and land irregularities — the second high-profile ACB operation in as many months, and a signal that the state's anti-graft sweep is moving deeper into local government machinery.
Key Takeaways
The West Bengal ACB arrested a Sub-Assistant Engineer of Raghunathpur Municipality , Purulia , on 2 November 2026 .
Charges cover corruption , misappropriation of government funds , irregularities in municipal works , and suspected government land irregularities .
The accused ignored two summons under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 before being arrested.
Evidence collected includes tender records , a Sub-Divisional Officer's enquiry report, and land and property documents linked to the accused and his family.
Last month, the ACB arrested a revenue inspector in East Burdwan for allegedly taking a ₹4,000 bribe to issue an EWS certificate.
The state administration has pledged to increase such anti-corruption operations to make government services transparent.
The West Bengal Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Monday, 2 November 2026, arrested a Sub-Assistant Engineer — already under suspension — from Raghunathpur Municipality in Purulia district, on multiple corruption charges. The arrest was made under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended by the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Allegations Against the Accused
According to an ACB official, the investigation covers allegations of corruption, misappropriation of government funds, irregularities in municipal works, and suspected irregularities involving government land. The breadth of charges points to what investigators describe as a systematic abuse of a public position over an extended period.
The official said that 'substantial documentary evidence, including tender records, an enquiry report submitted by the Sub-Divisional Officer and land and property-related records concerning the accused and his family members, has been collected and is under scrutiny.'
Accused Ignored Two Summons
Investigators noted that the accused had been served notices on two separate occasions under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, directing him to appear before the Investigating Officer. He failed to comply both times, accelerating the decision to make a formal arrest. The official confirmed that 'further investigation and necessary legal formalities are in progress in accordance with law.'
Pattern of ACB Action in West Bengal
This arrest follows a similar operation last month, when the ACB caught a revenue inspector from the Land and Land Reforms Office in Aushgram, East Burdwan district, red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹4,000 in exchange for issuing an Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificate. Taken together, the two cases illustrate a widening anti-graft sweep across the state's administrative apparatus.
The state administration has stated that the frequency of such operations will increase going forward to keep government services transparent and accessible to ordinary citizens. The ACB has reiterated that any attempt to harass members of the public or demand bribes in lieu of government services will not be tolerated.
What Happens Next
Investigators are continuing to scrutinise the documentary evidence gathered, including tender records and land-related documents linked to the accused and his family. The ACB has signalled that more such enforcement actions are planned, suggesting the Raghunathpur case may not be an isolated takedown but part of a broader, sustained crackdown on municipal-level corruption in West Bengal.
Point of View
Tender fraud and land irregularities in a single case — points to systemic rot at the grassroots level of West Bengal's civic administration, not an isolated act of greed. The fact that the accused defied two formal summons before arrest raises questions about the deterrence value of the notice mechanism. More telling is the state's framing: by publicly promising an escalation of ACB operations, the government is clearly responding to political pressure over governance credibility, but rhetoric alone will not establish accountability without transparent disclosure of prosecutions and convictions.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested by the West Bengal ACB on 2 November 2026?
A Sub-Assistant Engineer under suspension from Raghunathpur Municipality in Purulia district was arrested by the West Bengal Anti-Corruption Branch on 2 November 2026. He faces multiple charges including corruption, misappropriation of government funds, and irregularities in municipal works and government land.
What laws were invoked in the Raghunathpur Municipality corruption case?
The case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended by the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The accused was also served notices under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
What evidence has the ACB collected against the accused?
Investigators have gathered tender records, an enquiry report submitted by the Sub-Divisional Officer, and land and property-related documents concerning the accused and his family members. All documents are currently under scrutiny.
Is this the first ACB arrest in West Bengal recently?
No. Last month, the ACB arrested a revenue inspector from the Land and Land Reforms Office in Aushgram, East Burdwan district, after catching him red-handed allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹4,000 to issue an Economically Weaker Section certificate. The Raghunathpur case is part of a broader pattern of anti-corruption actions.
What has the West Bengal government said about future anti-corruption operations?
The state administration has stated that the number of such operations will increase going forward to ensure transparency and corruption-free government services. The ACB has warned that any attempt to harass citizens or demand bribes in exchange for public services will not be tolerated.
