Ex TMC minister Manas Bhunia granted interim protection by Calcutta High Court in job-for-cash case

Former West Bengal minister Manas Bhunia was granted relief by the Calcutta High Court in connection with a job-for-cash case if the seven-time Sabang MLA cooperated with the investigation.

Justice Sougata Bhattacharyya granted conditional protection to Bhunia after he approached the high court anticipating arrest in the case registered at Sabang police station.

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While allowing his plea for interim protection, the court imposed several conditions. Bhunia has been directed not to leave the jurisdiction of Sabang police station until further orders. He has also been asked to cooperate with the investigation and deposit his passport with the local police station.

The case stems from a complaint filed by a resident of Bishnupur Gram Panchayat in Sabang, who alleged that he paid Rs 5 lakh through Bhunia to secure a job for his wife. According to the complaint, the woman joined a post under CISB Services Private Limited at the Temathani Irrigation Bungalow on March 1 and received a salary of Rs 10,747 for the month of March.

The complainant claimed that after the Trinamool Congress lost power in West Bengal, his wife was terminated from service on May 6, barely two months after joining, and did not receive any further salary. He subsequently lodged a complaint alleging that he had been cheated after paying money for the appointment.

The Sabang Police registered an FIR against Bhunia under Sections 318(4) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and initiated an investigation.

Manas Bhunia had contested the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections on a Trinamool Congress ticket but lost to the BJP candidate. Following his defeat, his differences with the party became increasingly visible, and he formally announced his resignation from the party on June 13.