Kolkata, 15 July (H.S.) -The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe into the alleged municipal recruitment scam in West Bengal, with particular focus now on South Dum Dum and Baranagar municipalities. According to sources in the investigating agency, a total of 89 appointment-related files from these two municipalities have gone missing, raising serious concerns about possible deliberate tampering or destruction of evidence.

As per CBI officials, 29 Group-C recruitment files are untraceable from South Dum Dum Municipality, while 60 Group-D recruitment files have vanished from Baranagar Municipality. These documents pertain to the period when large-scale hiring processes were underway in both civic bodies.

When questioned, officials from South Dum Dum Municipality reportedly stated that only the then Chairman, Pachu Roy, would have had detailed knowledge of those recruitment activities. However, when contacted on Tuesday, Roy distanced himself from the issue, saying, “These matters are from a long time ago. I don’t remember much. The current authorities should be in a better position to respond.”

Similarly, officials at Baranagar Municipality also claimed to have no knowledge of the missing files during their interaction with the CBI.

The recruitment scam came to light after allegations surfaced that unqualified candidates were appointed in various municipal bodies across the state in exchange for bribes. This led to the launch of a full-scale investigation by the CBI, which has uncovered widespread irregularities, particularly in municipalities located in North 24 Parganas district.

With critical documents now missing, the agency suspects a coordinated effort to conceal evidence. CBI sources indicated that further questioning of past and present municipal officials is likely in the coming days as investigators work to reconstruct the missing paper trail and identify those responsible for the alleged wrongdoing.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh