On May 29, 2026,court heard petition filed by former West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose challenging his recent arrest by Enforcement Directorate (ED),but immediate relief did not come.
Since court is currently in summer recess,Justice Shampa Dutta Paul said matter should be taken up by regular bench after vacation period . So basically,Bose has to remain in ED custody for now,and that is not small thing ah .
ED had arrested Bose on night of May 11,2026 after long interrogation session of approximately ten hours . Timing also raised eyebrows because this happened just one week after Assembly election results were announced,where Bose faced defeat .
And honestly,this is where matter becomes more politically and legally messy . ED’s case is linked to alleged recruitment irregularities in West Bengal's municipalities,especially claims that Bose recommended ineligible candidates for various posts within South Dum Dum Municipality in exchange for monetary compensation.
Few points standing out in this whole case:
- ED alleges Bose facilitated recruitment of around 150 ineligible candidates .
- Extensive searches were earlier conducted at Bose’s residences and offices.
- ED investigators found suspicious transactions linked to Bose’s restaurant during lockdown .
During hearing,Bose's attorney argued that he was not accused in case and therefore arrest itself was illegal . But court did not give any immediate order in his favour,and Justice Shampa Dutta Paul made it clear that regular bench should decide matter after vacation .
ED is also looking at financial dealings connected to this recruitment scandal . According to agency,significant amounts were reportedly transferred to his personal accounts during COVID-19 lockdown,which then raised more questions around transactions linked with his restaurant business.
Tbh,this whole thing now feels like mix of politics,municipality jobs,money trail and timing of arrest all getting tangled together . Bose says arrest is being challenged,but ED is clearly trying to connect recruitment allegations with financial transactions.
And until regular bench actually hears it after vacation,one big question will keep hanging there — is this just legal process moving slowly,or start of something much bigger in West Bengal municipality recruitment case…
