Kolkata, 08 June (H.S.) :

The Calcutta High Court has refused to grant an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the arrest of former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose, observing that there was no justification for “undue haste” in the matter.

Sujit Bose was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 11 in connection with an alleged municipal recruitment scam linked to irregularities in the South Dum Dum municipality.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner sought immediate listing of the case, arguing that the legality of the arrest itself was under challenge, as the grounds for arrest had not been clearly disclosed. It was also submitted that a vacation bench had earlier sought a detailed report from the ED in the matter.

However, Justice Krishna Rao questioned the urgency of the plea, observing that once an arrest has already been made, the appropriate remedy would typically be a bail application rather than expedited adjudication on the validity of the arrest. The court remarked that the necessity for urgent listing was not sufficiently established.

The court further indicated that the matter would be taken up in due course and directed that it be listed before the regular bench in July. It also noted that the case should proceed through the normal judicial process.

Previously, another bench led by Justice Shampa Dutta Pal had also directed that the matter be placed before a regular bench for hearing.

According to the ED, Sujit Bose is accused of irregularities in recruitment processes within the South Dum Dum municipality, where approximately 150 candidates were allegedly recommended through improper channels. The agency is also examining suspected financial transactions linked to the case.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh