ED Raids Bengal Minister, TMC MLAs Homes in Job Scam Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the residences of West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose, TMC MLA Tapas Roy, and another TMC leader in connection with alleged irregularities in civic body recruitments.

In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the residences of West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose, TMC MLA Tapas Roy, and another TMC leader in connection with alleged irregularities in civic body recruitments. This marks the first ED raid since the assault on its officers during a previous search operation at the residence of a TMC leader in the ration distribution scam last week.

Heightened Security Measures

In a departure from previous ED raids, a substantial contingent of central police personnel cordoned off Bose's residence and prevented any gathering of party supporters near it. The central forces were equipped with additional protective gear, including helmets and automatic guns, to ensure the safety of the officers.

Searches Conducted at Multiple Locations

The ED sleuths conducted searches at two residences of Bose in the Lake Town area of North 24 Parganas district, as well as Roy's BB Ganguly Street residence in central Kolkata and Subodh Chakraborty's residence in Birati, North 24 Parganas. The Enforcement Director officers initially faced resistance when attempting to enter Bose's residence but gained access after about 40 minutes, according to sources in the agency.

Response from TMC Leaders

Following the raids, Bose criticized the BJP, accusing them of pursuing vendetta politics. He challenged the central agency to substantiate corruption allegations against him, stating that he is willing to cooperate with the investigation and would resign if any evidence of corruption is found. Bose also strongly criticized BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, asserting his commitment to helping the common people throughout his political career.

TMC deputy chief whip Tapas Roy expressed concern over the duration of the raids and emphasized that his political career has never been linked to scams or corruption. He mentioned that his mobile phone was taken by the ED personnel after the raid.

TMC Denounces Raids as Vendetta Politics

The TMC denounced the searches as vendetta politics and a desperate maneuver by the BJP ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh criticized the BJP for attempting to divert public attention from various burning issues and accused them of using every means to change the narrative.

BJP Dismisses Allegations

Dismissing the charges, BJP leader Rahul Sinha stated that TMC leaders often cry foul and accuse the ED and CBI of being politically motivated whenever raids are conducted. He asserted that the TMC is deeply mired in corruption, with nearly every leader facing corruption allegations.

Opposition Leader's Comments

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had earlier advised Bose to keep his bags packed in anticipation of a possible arrest based on inputs received by the ED. The central agencies have recently searched various locations, including the residences of Food and Supplies Minister Rathin Ghosh and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, in connection with alleged irregular recruitment in municipalities in the state.

Arrests of Senior TMC Leaders

In 2022, senior TMC minister Partha Chatterjee and leader Anubrata Mondal were arrested by the central agencies in various corruption cases. Additionally, State Forest Minister Jyotipriyo Mallick was arrested on October 27 last year in the ration distribution scam.

The ED raids on the residences of TMC leaders have intensified the political atmosphere in West Bengal, with both the ruling party and the opposition trading accusations and counter-accusations. As the investigations unfold, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind the alleged irregularities in civic body recruitments and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing.