The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned the wife and two sons of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Madan Mitra for questioning next week as part of its investigation into the alleged West Bengal municipal recruitment scam.
According to sources in the central anti-money laundering agency, investigators suspect that members of Mitra's family may have been involved in financial transactions linked to the alleged recruitment racket.
The ED is probing allegations that Mitra facilitated appointments in several municipal bodies in exchange for money and gold. Investigators believe that the alleged bribes were not received directly by the MLA but were routed through intermediaries.
A key aspect of the investigation is a diary recovered from Ayan Sil, who was arrested on March 20, 2023, in connection with the case. The agency is examining whether the initials "MM" found in the diary refer to Madan Mitra.
Sil's firm is accused of conducting recruitment processes across seven municipalities in West Bengal, including the Kamarhati Municipality. The company was responsible for recruiting candidates for posts such as Group-D staff and typists, besides handling the printing of OMR sheets and organising interviews, during which the alleged irregularities are believed to have taken place.
Earlier in June, the ED carried out searches at seven premises linked to Madan Mitra as part of the ongoing probe. Investigators are examining whether jobs in municipal bodies were secured through illegal payments and whether the proceeds of the alleged scam were laundered through a network of middlemen.
According to ED sources, more than 125 appointments have so far come under the scanner. Officials are also verifying whether due recruitment procedures were followed in those cases.
The investigation centres on allegations that appointments to various posts in civic bodies across West Bengal were made in exchange for money rather than through a transparent and merit-based selection process.
The case has already led to high-profile action. In May, the ED arrested former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment scam.
The summons issued to Madan Mitra's immediate family marks the latest development in the widening investigation, as the agency continues to trace the alleged money trail and examine the role of individuals linked to the recruitment process.
