Manas Bhunia questioned for 3 hours in West Bengal cash-for-job scam
Synopsis
Former West Bengal Irrigation Minister Manas Bhunia appeared at Sabang police station only after the Calcutta High Court ordered him to cooperate — having skipped summons twice. At the centre of the case: an alleged ₹5 lakh payment for a government-linked job that lasted just two months before the employee was dismissed.
Key Takeaways
Manas Bhunia , former West Bengal Irrigation Minister , was questioned for approximately three hours at Sabang police station on 9 July .
The probe stems from a complaint filed on 10 June alleging ₹5 lakh was paid for a job under CISB Services Private Limited at the Irrigation Department.
Bhunia had skipped police summons on two prior occasions before the Calcutta High Court directed him to cooperate.
The complainant's wife was reportedly dismissed from the job within two months of joining.
Bhunia denied the allegations and declined to comment after Thursday's questioning.
BJP leader Amulya Maiti said the 'corrupt will be punished as per law.'
Former West Bengal minister Manas Bhunia appeared before investigators at Sabang police station in West Midnapore district on Thursday, 9 July, after the Calcutta High Court directed him to cooperate with an ongoing probe into an alleged cash-for-job scam linked to the state's Irrigation Department. Officers questioned him for approximately three hours, recording his statement before he left the premises without addressing reporters.
Background of the Complaint
The case originates from a written complaint lodged on 10 June at Sabang police station by a resident of Bishnupur Gram Panchayat in the Sabang Assembly constituency. According to the complainant, his wife was placed in a position under CISB Services Private Limited at the Temathani Irrigation Bungalow through the alleged mediation of Bhunia, who was then serving as the state's Irrigation Minister. The complainant alleges that the family paid ₹5 lakh in exchange for the posting. His wife reportedly joined the role and received her salary until March, after which she was dismissed within two months of being hired.
How the Case Reached Court
Police registered an FIR against Bhunia following the complaint and served him notices on multiple occasions as part of the investigation. According to police sources, the former minister did not appear at the station on the first two occasions he was summoned. Bhunia subsequently challenged the notices before the Calcutta High Court, which ruled that he must cooperate with the probe. It was only after this judicial direction that he appeared at Sabang on Thursday.
What Investigators Found and What Bhunia Said
Investigating officers recorded Bhunia's statement during the roughly three-hour session. After the questioning concluded, the former minister declined to make any public comment. Bhunia has previously denied the allegations against him.
Political Reaction
Amulya Maiti, organisational district vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Ghatal organisational district in West Midnapore, reacted sharply to the development. 'It is said that sin does not spare anyone. The corrupt will be punished as per law,' Maiti said. The BJP has consistently targeted the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) over alleged corruption in government job appointments in West Bengal.
What Happens Next
The investigation at Sabang police station is ongoing. The complainant has urged authorities to pursue legal action to recover the alleged ₹5 lakh and secure accountability for the job loss. With a court-backed mandate now in place, investigators are expected to determine whether additional witnesses or accused persons need to be examined.
Point of View
But it fits a larger template of alleged transactional access to government posts that has dogged the TMC administration. What distinguishes this case is the complainant's specificity — a named private employer, a named location, a salary trail, and a dismissal date — details that give investigators a verifiable paper chain. Whether the FIR progresses to charge-sheet will test how far the Sabang police are willing to go against a former state minister.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manas Bhunia and why was he questioned?
Manas Bhunia is a former West Bengal minister who served as the state's Irrigation Minister. He was questioned at Sabang police station on 9 July in connection with an alleged cash-for-job scam in which a complainant claims ₹5 lakh was paid for a government-linked job that was later terminated.
What is the cash-for-job allegation against Manas Bhunia?
A resident of Bishnupur Gram Panchayat in Sabang Assembly constituency alleges that his wife was given a job under CISB Services Private Limited at the Temathani Irrigation Bungalow through Bhunia's alleged mediation, in exchange for ₹5 lakh. The wife was dismissed within two months of joining.
Why did it take so long for Bhunia to appear before police?
Bhunia did not appear at Sabang police station on the first two occasions he was summoned. He then challenged the notices in the Calcutta High Court, which directed him to cooperate with the investigation. He appeared on 9 July following that court order.
What did Manas Bhunia say after questioning?
Bhunia declined to make any public statement after approximately three hours of questioning at Sabang police station. He has previously denied the allegations against him.
How has the BJP responded to the case?
BJP's Amulya Maiti, organisational district vice-president for the Ghatal organisational district in West Midnapore, said 'the corrupt will be punished as per law,' reflecting the party's broader campaign against alleged corruption in government job appointments in West Bengal.
