Bengal ex-ministers Sujit Bose, Rathin Ghosh skip ED summons in civic recruitment case
Synopsis
Two former West Bengal ministers — Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh — skipped fresh ED summons in the municipal recruitment corruption case on the same day, citing a toilet-slip injury and post-poll violence relief work respectively. With a court already having directed Bose's earlier appearance, the repeated deferrals are raising the stakes for both politicians.
Key Takeaways
Former West Bengal ministers Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh skipped ED summons on Wednesday, 7 May 2025 in the municipal recruitment corruption case.
Rathin Ghosh cited a leg injury requiring 10 days of complete rest; Sujit Bose cited post-poll violence relief work.
The Calcutta High Court had earlier directed Bose to appear before the ED by 1 May ; he complied and was questioned for nearly nine hours .
The ED first questioned Rathin Ghosh in October 2023 and had also searched his residence at that time.
Ghosh won the Madhyamgram seat by 2,399 votes ; Bose lost from Bidhannagar .
The ED has said fresh dates for questioning both former ministers will be announced.
Former West Bengal ministers Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, informed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that they would not appear before its officers for questioning in connection with the municipal recruitment corruption case. Both former All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) ministers separately conveyed their inability to comply with summons issued for appearance at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Reasons Cited for Skipping Summons
According to ED sources, former minister Rathin Ghosh informed the agency that he had suffered a leg injury after slipping in a toilet and had been advised complete rest by doctors for 10 days. Meanwhile, former Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose told the ED that several workers of his party had been affected by post-poll violence and that he was occupied in extending support to them. He sought a few more days' time before appearing before the agency's officers.
Pattern of Repeated Delays
This is not the first time either minister has avoided an ED summons. The ED had summoned Sujit Bose several times in recent months in connection with the same case. On almost every occasion, he reportedly wrote to the agency seeking additional time. He had also approached the courts, filing a petition stating he was occupied with election-related responsibilities and therefore could not attend questioning.
Notably, the bench of Justice Krishna Rao of the Calcutta High Court had earlier directed that Bose would have to appear before the ED by 1 May. Following that court direction, the former TMC minister appeared before ED officials within the stipulated time. After nearly nine hours of questioning, he left the ED office.
Rathin Ghosh had similarly sought time from the ED earlier, citing election-related engagements. He was summoned again a day after the election results were declared. The ED had first questioned Ghosh in connection with the recruitment corruption case in October 2023, when his residence was also searched.
Election Outcomes for Both Ministers
Rathin Ghosh contested as the TMC candidate from the Madhyamgram constituency, facing a strong challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and eventually won by a margin of 2,399 votes. Sujit Bose, however, lost the Assembly election from the Bidhannagar constituency.
What Happens Next
According to ED sources, fresh dates will be announced for the appearance of both Rathin Ghosh and Sujit Bose before the investigating officers. The broader municipal recruitment corruption case has already seen multiple arrests and searches across West Bengal, and the ED is reportedly widening its net to include senior political figures. The repeated deferrals by both former ministers are likely to draw scrutiny from the courts, given the existing judicial direction in Bose's case.
Point of View
Both named in the same corruption case, have now serially deferred ED appearances across multiple summons cycles — citing elections, then post-poll duties, now injury. The Calcutta High Court had to intervene once already to compel Bose's appearance. That a court direction was needed to secure nine hours of questioning — only for fresh summons to be skipped again — points to a structural problem in how political figures engage with investigative agencies in India. The municipal recruitment scam has already drawn convictions lower down the chain; the question now is whether the ED can sustain momentum at the ministerial level without repeated judicial prodding.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh skip the ED summons?
Former minister Sujit Bose told the ED he was occupied supporting party workers affected by post-poll violence and sought more time. Rathin Ghosh informed the agency he had suffered a leg injury from a toilet fall and was advised 10 days of complete rest by doctors.
What is the municipal recruitment corruption case?
It is a case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate into alleged irregularities in civic body recruitment in West Bengal. The probe has involved searches, arrests, and questioning of political figures, including former ministers Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh, since at least October 2023.
Has the Calcutta High Court been involved in this matter?
Yes. Justice Krishna Rao of the Calcutta High Court had previously directed that Sujit Bose must appear before the ED by 1 May. Bose complied with that direction and was questioned for nearly nine hours before the latest summons was issued.
What were the election results for both ministers?
Rathin Ghosh won the Madhyamgram Assembly seat as a TMC candidate by a margin of 2,399 votes despite a strong BJP challenge. Sujit Bose lost the Assembly election from the Bidhannagar constituency.
What happens next in the ED investigation?
According to ED sources, fresh dates will be announced for both Rathin Ghosh and Sujit Bose to appear before the investigating officers. Given the court's prior intervention in Bose's case, further judicial scrutiny of any continued non-compliance remains a possibility.
