ED Conducts Search Operation in Municipality Recruitment Scam, West Bengal under PMLA, 2002.

Headnote:

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Kolkata Zonal Office, conducted extensive search operations at 13 locations in and around Kolkata on 10.10.2025 in connection with the Municipality Recruitment Scam in West Bengal. The searches covered premises associated with Sujit Bose, MLA and Minister of Fire & Emergency Services, and his firms. Incriminating documents, digital devices, and unexplained cash amounting to ₹45 lakh were seized. The case stems from irregularities in recruitment for various posts in multiple municipalities, linked to manipulation of OMR sheets and bribery involving M/s ABS Infozon Pvt. Ltd., led by Ayan Sil.

Background:

1. ED initiated investigation based on an FIR registered by the CBI under the directions of the Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta.
2. The ED had previously filed an application (CAN 2 of 2023 in WPA 9979 of 2022 with CAN 1 of 2023) in Soumen Nandy v. State of West Bengal & Ors, submitting its findings on illegalities in municipal recruitments.
3. The scam came to light during ED’s probe in the Primary Teachers Recruitment Scam, where searches in 2023 at premises linked to Ayan Sil led to recovery of incriminating documents and digital evidence.
4. Examination of those materials revealed that the irregularities extended beyond teacher recruitment to appointments in multiple municipalities such as Kanchrapara, New Barrackpore, Kamarhati, Titagarh, Baranagar, Halisahar, South Dum Dum (N), Dum Dum, etc.
5. The posts affected included Mazdoors, Sweepers, Clerks, Peons, Ambulance Attendants, Assistant Mistries, Pump Operators, Helpers, Sanitary Assistants, Drivers, and others.

ED’s Observations and Actions:

1. Investigations revealed that contracts related to printing of question papers, OMR sheets, mark evaluation, and merit list preparation for various municipal recruitments were awarded to M/s ABS Infozon Pvt. Ltd. (Director: Ayan Sil).
2. Ayan Sil, in collusion with political leaders, public servants, and private individuals, manipulated OMR sheets to facilitate illegal appointments of unqualified candidates in exchange for bribes.
3. ED seized ₹45 lakh in unexplained cash, property documents, and digital evidence from the premises linked to the accused.
4. A Prosecution Complaint has already been filed by ED against Ayan Sil before the Special Court (PMLA), Kolkata.
5. Earlier searches had also covered the residences of Sujit Bose (MLA & Minister of Fire & Emergency Services) and Rathin Ghosh (MLA & Minister of Food & Supplies).
6. Further investigation is under progress.

Legal Provisions Discussed:

1. Section 17, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA): Power of search and seizure.
2. Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002: Provides for investigation, attachment, and prosecution for offences involving proceeds of crime linked to scheduled offences.
3. Article 226, Constitution of India (referenced indirectly): High Court’s writ jurisdiction in directing CBI investigation.

Case: Directorate of Enforcement, Kolkata Zonal Office – Municipality Recruitment Scam, West Bengal

Court / Authority: Directorate of Enforcement (ED)