Calcutta HC judge recuses from Sujit Bose bail case after chamber breach
Synopsis
A Calcutta High Court judge recused herself from ruling on ex-Bengal minister Sujit Bose's bail plea after a startling breach: his counsel allegedly entered her chamber in her absence and asked staff for a case file. The incident, reported to the Acting Chief Justice, has reset bail proceedings in a multi-crore municipalities job scam — and raised pointed questions about judicial propriety.
Key Takeaways
Justice Suvra Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court recused herself from Sujit Bose 's bail case on 19 August .
A counsel for Bose allegedly visited her chamber in her absence and sought a case-related file from her personal secretary.
The hearing had already concluded on 17 August ; the verdict was being withheld when the recusal was announced.
Bose , former TMC legislator and Fire Services Minister , was arrested by the ED on 11 May in the municipalities job scam.
The ED alleged Bose recommended approximately 150 job seekers for South Dum Dum Municipality posts and that corruption money was deposited in accounts of Bose and his family.
Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty will now decide which bench hears the bail matter.
Justice Suvra Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, 19 August recused herself from adjudicating the bail petition of former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose — days after concluding the hearing — citing a serious breach of judicial propriety involving her chamber. The development has stalled the bail proceedings in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) case linked to the multi-crore municipalities job scam.
The Chamber Incident That Triggered Recusal
Justice Ghosh disclosed in open court that on Tuesday, one of the counsels representing Bose had visited her chamber in her absence. The counsel reportedly asked her personal secretary to hand over a case-related file from within the chamber. Justice Ghosh described the development as 'extremely unfortunate' and said she had immediately informed Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty of the matter before announcing her recusal.
Status of the Bail Plea
The hearing on Bose's bail petition had been concluded on 17 August, with Justice Ghosh reserving her verdict. However, the judge withheld the order, and the recusal on Wednesday means the matter must now be placed before a fresh bench. Acting Chief Justice Chakraborty will determine which bench the case is referred to. Until then, Bose remains in judicial custody.
The ED Case Against Sujit Bose
Sujit Bose, a former legislator of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and former Fire Services Minister in the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal, was arrested by the ED on 11 May this year. He is accused of illegally recommending the names of approximately 150 job seekers for positions in the South Dum Dum Municipality. The ED has also alleged before a trial court that money earned through corruption was routed into the bank accounts of Bose and his family members.
Background: The Municipalities Job Scam
The municipalities job case is part of a broader pattern of recruitment irregularity investigations in West Bengal that have ensnared several TMC-linked figures in recent years. The ED had questioned Bose multiple times before his arrest in May. The probe agency's involvement signals the money-laundering dimension of what investigators allege was a systematic cash-for-jobs arrangement at the municipal level. This is among a series of West Bengal corruption cases currently before various courts, reflecting the scale of the ongoing enforcement action in the state.
What Happens Next
The Acting Chief Justice will assign the bail matter to a new bench, resetting the process. Any fresh bench will likely require re-hearing arguments, potentially extending Bose's time in judicial custody. The recusal itself — rooted in an alleged attempt to access judicial files — is likely to attract scrutiny from the Bar and may prompt the High Court administration to examine the conduct of the counsel involved.
Point of View
The reset of bail proceedings extends Bose's custody and underscores a recurring pattern in West Bengal corruption cases: prolonged pre-trial detention as courts navigate procedural and political complexity.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Justice Suvra Ghosh recuse herself from the Sujit Bose bail case?
Justice Ghosh recused herself after disclosing that a counsel for Sujit Bose had entered her chamber in her absence and asked her personal secretary to hand over a case-related file. She described the incident as 'extremely unfortunate' and informed the Acting Chief Justice before announcing her recusal.
Who is Sujit Bose and why was he arrested?
Sujit Bose is a former All India Trinamool Congress legislator and former Fire Services Minister in the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on 11 May in connection with the multi-crore municipalities job case, accused of illegally recommending approximately 150 job seekers for positions in the South Dum Dum Municipality.
What is the municipalities job scam in West Bengal?
The municipalities job case involves alleged cash-for-jobs arrangements at the municipal level in West Bengal, with the ED investigating the money-laundering dimension. The probe agency has alleged that corruption proceeds were deposited into bank accounts of the accused and their family members.
What happens to Sujit Bose's bail plea now?
The bail matter has been placed before Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, who will assign it to a new bench. The fresh bench will likely need to re-hear arguments, potentially prolonging Bose's judicial custody.
What is the role of the Enforcement Directorate in this case?
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating the money-laundering angle of the municipalities job scam. It arrested Bose on 11 May after questioning him multiple times, and has alleged before a trial court that corruption money was routed into accounts linked to him and his family.
