Sujit Bose Bail Plea rejected by Calcutta High Court in the alleged municipal recruitment scam as the ED raises claims of illegal appointments and financial transactions.
Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | October 13, 2026
The Sujit Bose Bail Plea was rejected by the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, according to the supplied report, leaving the former West Bengal fire services minister in custody in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment scam being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Justice Tirthankar Ghosh heard the matter before dismissing the application. The court did not specify the reasons for rejecting the bail request in the reported proceedings.
The Sujit Bose Bail Plea had initially come before Justice Shubra Ghosh. However, the case was subsequently transferred after an allegation emerged that Bose’s lawyers had attempted to remove a file from the judge’s private chamber. Justice Shubra Ghosh later withdrew from the matter, following which it was heard by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh.
ED Alleges Illegal Appointments and Financial Transactions
During the proceedings, ED counsel Dhiraj Trivedi alleged that 284 ineligible candidates had secured municipal jobs and that each had allegedly paid Rs 6 lakh in exchange for employment. The agency also claimed to have identified Rs 8.8 crore in bank accounts belonging to Bose, with additional sums allegedly found in accounts held by members of his family.
Bose had been under the ED’s scrutiny for some time over alleged irregularities in municipal recruitment. Investigators suspect that jobs were recommended illegally in exchange for money, including appointments connected to Dum Dum Municipality.
According to the report, the ED repeatedly summoned Bose from April 6 during the West Bengal Assembly election campaign. Citing his election commitments, he approached the High Court seeking additional time to appear before the agency. He did not attend the ED office during the election period, but joined the investigation after the polls concluded.
The agency subsequently questioned him on several occasions and conducted searches at his residence and office. On May 11, the ED arrested the former minister after an extended period of questioning.
Investigators have alleged that Bose recommended the names of more than 100 job applicants for appointments at Dum Dum Municipality through irregular means and that substantial financial transactions were involved. These allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation and should not be treated as established findings of guilt.
The rejection of bail means Bose will remain in custody for now, subject to any subsequent legal developments. The case continues to draw attention to allegations of corruption in municipal recruitment in West Bengal.
