Politics
West Bengal Civic Body Recruitment Scam: CBI Registers FIR After Court Order
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The CBI filed an FIR for alleged recruitment irregularities involving various posts in different West Bengal municipalities.
The Calcutta High Court had ordered the CBI to investigate the matter, and the agency has now taken action, the officials said on Tuesday, reported PTI.
Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, sitting as a single judge, issued an order based on the findings from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding a purported teachers' recruitment scam.
The ED noted that the alleged scheme was uncovered during a probe into financial transactions related to municipal recruitments in West Bengal.
In response to this order, the CBI has been asked to provide a report outlining what actions have been taken. The High Court had previously directed the CBI to submit this report on 28 April.
Justice Gangopadhyay had ordered West Bengal's Director General of Police and Chief Secretary to assist the CBI and ED in their investigation the the case, if requested by the central agencies.
According to the ED, agents, including Sil, involved in the school jobs bribery scam were also allegedly involved in the recruitment of municipal clerks, peons, sweepers, and drivers.
The ED had stated that a separate FIR would be required to investigate the alleged municipal recruitment scam, under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. This FIR would need to be registered by the predicate agency (CBI).
Firhad Hakim, the Kolkata Mayor and West Bengal Urban Development Minister, welcomed any visiting team after the ED submitted its report to the Calcutta High Court, claiming they had 'worked honestly' and had nothing to conceal.
West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said, "Ayan Sil is Bhaipo's (nephew) trusted mercenary. The high and mighty within the TMC are beneficiaries of the nefarious deeds committed by Sil and his associates. The illegal appointments made in municipalities across West Bengal is a huge scam waiting to be unearthed," reported NDTV.
