Calcutta HC assigns Sujit Bose bail plea to new bench after recusal
Synopsis
A judge's recusal over a chamber-entry breach has reshuffled the bench hearing former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose's bail plea in an ED corruption case. With 150 alleged job recommendations and family bank accounts under scrutiny, the case is one of the most closely watched ED proceedings against a TMC-linked figure in the state.
Key Takeaways
The Calcutta High Court has assigned former minister Sujit Bose's ED bail plea to Justice Tirthankar Ghosh ; first hearing on 3 September .
Justice Suvra Ghosh recused herself on 19 August after one of Bose's counsels allegedly entered her chamber and handed a file to her personal secretary.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Bose on 11 May , accusing him of illegally recommending around 150 names for jobs in South Dum Dum Municipality .
The ED alleged corruption proceeds were deposited into accounts of Bose and his family members .
Bose, a three-time TMC MLA from Bidhannagar , lost the recent West Bengal Assembly election to BJP's Sharadwat Mukherjee , now the state's Health Minister.
The Calcutta High Court has assigned the bail petition of former All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator and ex-West Bengal Fire Service Minister Sujit Bose to a new single-judge bench, following the recusal of the previous presiding judge. The matter will now be heard by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, with the first hearing scheduled for 3 September.
Why the Previous Bench Stepped Aside
The recusal stems from a serious breach of judicial protocol. Justice Suvra Ghosh, who had completed the hearing but had not yet delivered a verdict, announced her decision to step aside on 19 August. She cited an incident in which one of Bose's counsels had entered her chamber in her absence and handed a case-related file to her personal secretary.
Describing the episode as 'extremely unfortunate,' Justice Ghosh brought the matter to the attention of Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, who was then tasked with constituting a new bench. The office of the Acting Chief Justice formally allotted the case to Justice Tirthankar Ghosh on Tuesday.
The ED Case Against Sujit Bose
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sujit Bose on 11 May this year. He is accused of illegally recommending approximately 150 names of job seekers in the South Dum Dum Municipality — a charge the ED placed on record in trial court.
The agency further alleged that money generated through corruption was channelled into bank accounts belonging to Bose and members of his family. Investigators had questioned him on multiple occasions before the arrest was made.
Bose's Political Background
Bose is a three-time TMC legislator from the Bidhannagar constituency in North 24 Parganas district. In the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, he was defeated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sharadwat Mukherjee, who subsequently became the West Bengal Health Minister.
What Happens Next
The bail hearing before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh is set to commence on 3 September. The case carries significance beyond Bose's personal legal jeopardy — it is part of a broader pattern of ED investigations targeting TMC-linked figures in West Bengal over alleged municipal job irregularities. The outcome of the bail plea will be closely watched as a signal of judicial trajectory in high-profile corruption matters in the state.
Point of View
The BJP's entry into government through Sharadwat Mukherjee's win in Bidhannagar adds a political dimension the court cannot ignore. The bail outcome will test whether judicial timelines in ED matters are tightening or stretching further — a question that matters for dozens of similarly placed accused across the state.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was a new bench assigned to hear Sujit Bose's bail plea?
Justice Suvra Ghosh recused herself on 19 August after one of Bose's counsels allegedly entered her chamber without permission and handed a case file to her personal secretary. Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty then allotted the matter to Justice Tirthankar Ghosh.
What is the ED case against Sujit Bose?
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Sujit Bose on 11 May, alleging he illegally recommended around 150 names for municipal jobs in South Dum Dum Municipality. The agency also claims corruption proceeds were deposited into bank accounts of Bose and his family members.
When is the next hearing in Sujit Bose's bail case?
The first hearing before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh is scheduled for 3 September.
What was Justice Suvra Ghosh's objection?
Justice Ghosh found it 'extremely unfortunate' that one of the accused's counsels had entered her chamber in her absence and left a case-related file with her personal secretary — a serious breach of judicial propriety that led her to step aside before delivering a verdict.
