Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested the former Fire and Emergency Services minister of the Government of West Bengal, Sujit Basu, in Kolkata in connection with the South Dumdum Municipality Recruitment Scam.

Officials at the ED said that Bose allegedly recommended around 150 candidates for various posts under the South Dum Dum Municipality in exchange for pecuniary benefits during the former TMC regime.

The officials noted that ED has traced direct proceeds of crime in the form of flats allegedly acquired by him in lieu of providing municipal jobs to various individuals.

The probe agency have also identified substantial cash deposits in bank accounts under his control. Mr Bose will be produced before the Special Court today.

Akashvani correspondent reports that Enforcement Directorate on Monday night arrested former fire and emergency services minister of West Bengal Sujit Bose over alleged corruption in recruitments to South Dum Dum Municipality, where he was vice-chairman from 2010 to 2021.

After more than 10 hours of interrogation, he is the first former minister to be arrested since the BJP government took charge in Bengal.

The alleged irregularities took place between 2014 and 2016, ED officials said. According to ED sources, across 17 municipalities, about 1,000 employees were recruited unlawfully. In the recent Assembly poll, Bose lost to the BJP by over 37,000 votes.

According to the Enforcement Directorate, the arrest was made under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Investigators have alleged that Bose recommended appointments of several candidates in the South Dum Dum Municipality in exchange for financial benefits.

The agency has also reportedly traced suspicious financial transactions during the course of the investigation.