Kolkata, 14 May (H.S.) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the alleged municipal recruitment scam in West Bengal, has claimed that crores of rupees were routed through two private firms allegedly linked to former state Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose.

According to the central agency, the firms were allegedly used to launder money generated through irregularities in municipal recruitment processes.

The ED arrested Sujit Bose on May 11 in connection with the case. Sources in the agency said statements recorded from several businessmen associated with the investigation had provided crucial leads. During the probe, investigators found that one of the firms identified itself as a logistics service provider.

The agency has also seized an agreement signed between Sujit Bose and the company on August 1, 2016. As per the agreement, the company allegedly paid Bose Rs 2.5 lakh every month for “manpower supply and management” services.

The ED claimed it had traced financial transactions between the company and a bank account belonging to Bose in a public sector bank.

During questioning, company officials reportedly told investigators that workers at warehouses located in Andal, Dankuni and Kolkata’s Hyde Road frequently stopped work and labour union disputes often emerged. According to the officials, Bose allegedly intervened to resolve such issues and was paid a monthly amount for those services.

However, the ED suspects that the arrangement was not related to genuine labour management work, but was instead a channel to divert and route money linked to the municipal recruitment scam to Bose and his family members.

The investigation has further revealed that, according to the income tax returns of Bose’s son Samudra Bose, the company paid him Rs 83 lakh. Separately, income tax documents of Bose’s daughter Mohini Bose allegedly showed that another company transferred Rs 1.07 crore to her account.

The ED said no satisfactory explanation has yet been provided regarding the purpose of these payments.

Samudra Bose, however, has earlier dismissed the allegations, stating that the ED was merely making accusations and would ultimately have to prove its claims in court.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh