Kolkata Court Orders 10-Day ED Custody For Former Bengal Minister, TMC Leader Sujit Bose

A special sessions court in Kolkata has granted 10-day custody of former Minister and Biddhannagar MLA Sujit Bose to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the irregular municipal recruitments.

Bose was arrested late Monday night after prolonged questioning at the ED office in Kolkata. ED alleged Bose's connection with proceeds generated through illegal appointments in municipal bodies.

The agency alleged that several transactions at a restaurant owned by Bose reflected “disproportionate” inflows during periods when they were allegedly inactive during the COVID period.

The agency further alleged that recommendations for appointments in various municipal posts were made in exchange for financial consideration during Bose's tenure in a civic body.

Seeking custody, the ED argued before the court that Bose had not fully cooperated with the investigation and that custodial interrogation was necessary to trace the alleged money trail and identify beneficiaries. The agency also expressed apprehension that, owing to his political influence, there was a possibility of witnesses being influenced or evidence being tampered with.

Opposing the plea, Bose's counsel questioned the timing of the arrest and contended that the allegations were based on old materials already in the possession of the investigating agencies for several years. The defence further argued that Bose had not been named in the original chargesheet filed in the predicate offence case.