ED seeks 10-day custody of Sujit Bose over alleged unexplained crores and recruitment scam links

Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday sought 10 days of custody of former minister Sujit Bose while producing him before the Bankshall Court in connection with the municipal recruitment scam and alleged money laundering. The agency alleged that crores of rupees were deposited into restaurant business accounts linked to Bose and his family members, including during the COVID-19 lockdown period when the establishments were reportedly shut.

According to the ED, scrutiny of bank accounts linked to Sujit Bose and his family revealed transactions worth nearly ₹8 crore over the last seven years. Investigators alleged that one restaurant connected to the family received deposits of around ₹2 crore during the lockdown period despite business operations remaining closed. The agency claimed Bose failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source of the funds and alleged that several large fixed deposits were also found in the names of family members.

The ED further alleged that digital evidence recovered during the investigation into the municipal recruitment scam indicated that Sujit Bose had recommended the names of several job aspirants. Investigators claimed that interrogation of co-accused Ayan Shil led to information suggesting money, flats and other benefits were allegedly accepted in exchange for jobs in the South Dum Dum Municipality. The agency also stated that it possessed a list of approximately 150 individuals who allegedly secured jobs using Bose’s influence.

Investigators additionally claimed that financial transactions involving businessman Vivek Dhandhania and the bank accounts of Bose’s son Samudra Bose and his daughter were under examination. The ED alleged that large amounts of money had been transferred from company accounts linked to the businessman into the accounts of the minister’s children. The agency also informed the court that Bose had allegedly avoided answering several questions during overnight interrogation and that inconsistencies were found in his statements regarding assets and financial transactions.

Seeking custodial interrogation, the ED argued before the court that Sujit Bose was an influential individual who could affect the investigation and tamper with evidence if released. The defence questioned the timing of the arrest and argued that the documents relied upon by investigators had been available since 2022. The defence also stated that Bose’s name was not mentioned in the charge sheet filed by the CBI in the recruitment scam case and questioned the legal basis for seeking custody solely for interrogation purposes.