ED questions Partha Chatterjee at home, raids ‘middleman’ Prasanna Ray’s office

In a significant development ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, officials of the Enforcement Directorate reached the residence of former minister Partha Chatterjee in Naktala on Saturday morning, accompanied by central forces. The visit is part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged recruitment scam, with officials seeking to question him regarding financial transactions and related documents. Simultaneously, another team conducted searches at the New Town office of Prasanna Kumar Ray, considered a key figure in the case.

The development comes after Partha, who is currently out on bail, had repeatedly cited ill health while seeking exemption from appearing before central agencies. He had earlier requested that questioning be conducted at his residence, a request that appears to have been accepted by investigators. Sources indicate that fresh evidence and documents may have prompted the agency to directly question him at home rather than wait for his appearance at the CGO Complex.

The recruitment scam case has remained a major political flashpoint since 2022, when large sums of cash were recovered from properties linked to Partha and his associate Arpita Mukherjee. Both were subsequently arrested during the investigation. While Partha later secured bail in multiple cases, the probe has continued, with agencies periodically summoning him for further questioning.

The latest action has triggered sharp political reactions, with leaders from the ruling All India Trinamool Congress alleging that the timing of the raids, just ahead of elections, raises questions about intent. As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on uncovering the extent of financial irregularities and the alleged network involved, with the latest searches adding a fresh dimension to the ongoing probe.