Kolkata, 23 April (H.S.): West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose received interim relief in the municipal recruitment scam case after the Calcutta High Court on Thursday said he would not be required to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) immediately. The court directed that he must present himself before the central agency after the election process concludes.
The bench of Justice Krishna Rao ordered Bose to appear at the ED office in Kolkata’s CGO Complex on May 1 and cooperate with the investigation. The order has provided temporary relief to the minister during the ongoing election period.
Over the past few days, the ED had issued multiple summonses to Sujit Bose for questioning in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment scam. However, the minister reportedly sought more time on each occasion, citing his preoccupation with election responsibilities and stating that he would be available only after polling was over.
Following repeated summonses, Bose approached the Calcutta High Court seeking relief. The matter was heard on Thursday, after which the court made it clear that while he had been exempted from immediate appearance, he would have to mandatorily appear before the agency on May 1.
Apart from Bose, another state minister, Rathin Ghosh, has also been summoned by the ED in the same case. The issuance of summonses to both leaders during the election season has intensified the political atmosphere in the state.
Notably, the second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29, where Sujit Bose is contesting from Bidhannagar constituency, while Rathin Ghosh is in the fray from Madhyamgram.
Earlier, in October 2023, the ED had questioned Rathin Ghosh in the municipal recruitment case and also conducted searches at his residence. In January 2024 and October 2025, the agency had carried out raids at the residence and office of Sujit Bose, besides conducting searches at premises linked to his close associates.
With the latest court order, it is now clear that Bose will not have to face the ED during the election period, but will have to appear before the agency once polling is over.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
