Ex-minister Rathin Ghosh appears before ED after 5 summons in municipality recruitment scam

Former West Bengal Food Minister Rathin Ghosh finally appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at the Salt Lake CGO Complex on Friday morning, May 15, 2026. Ghosh, a prominent Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former chairman of the Madhyamgram Municipality, had reportedly skipped five previous summons during the 2026 assembly election period, citing his hectic campaign schedule. Upon his arrival at approximately 10:00 AM, Ghosh told reporters that he was unaware of the specific reason for his summons but was ready to cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the municipality recruitment scam.

The investigation centers on alleged irregularities in the recruitment of personnel across several municipalities in North 24 Parganas. The ED had previously raided Ghosh's residence in October 2023, seizing documents and digital devices related to appointments made during his tenure as municipal chairman. Detectives are currently probing the flow of "tainted money" through shell companies and examining whether positions such as clerks, sweepers, and mazdoors were sold in exchange for illegal kickbacks.

Ghosh’s interrogation comes just days after the high-profile arrest of his colleague and former Fire Services Minister, Sujit Basu, in the same case. Basu was arrested on May 12 after a marathon 10-hour questioning session, with the ED alleging direct proceeds of crime and inconsistent statements. Like Ghosh, Basu had also secured temporary relief from the Calcutta High Court during the election cycle but was taken into custody shortly after the results were declared and the new Suvendu Adhikari-led government took office.