The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Madan Mitra’s wife and his two sons next week in connection with its investigation into the alleged West Bengal municipal recruitment scam.
Sources from the central money laundering agency have pointed out that Mitra’s family might have been involved in several financial transactions pertaining to the recruitment scam.
Mitra is being examined over allegations that he facilitated appointments in municipal bodies in exchange for money and gold.
As per preliminary investigation, the bribe was not taken by Mitra directly but through middlemen.
The ED is also investigating whether the initials “MM” found in the diary of one Ayan Sil, who was arrested on March 20, 2023, refers to Mitra.
Sil’s firm faces allegations of conducting this recruitment scam across seven municipalities in the state, including Kamarhati Municipality. Sil’s company handled recruitment for various roles, like Group-D staff and typists in these municipalities. It also managed tasks like printing OMR sheets and organising interviews, during which the recruitment scam took place.
Earlier in June, the ED conducted searches at seven premises linked to Mitra. Investigators are examining whether jobs were secured through illegal payments and whether proceeds from the alleged scam were routed through a network of intermediaries.
According to ED sources, investigators have so far linked more than 125 appointments to the probe; they are also verifying whether recruitment procedures were followed in those cases.
The case centres on allegations that appointments to various posts in civic bodies across West Bengal were made in return for money instead of through a transparent selection process.
Former state minister Sujit Bose was taken into custody by the ED in May in connection with the alleged scam.