In a significant development, officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are currently engaged in a meticulous search operation at the residence of Mr. Firhad Hakim, a prominent West Bengal minister. Mr. Hakim, entrusted with the crucial portfolios of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, also serves as the Mayor of Kolkata.
Simultaneously, the CBI is executing similar raids at the domicile of Mr. Madan Mitra, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Kamarhati and a former minister affiliated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC). These actions have been initiated in relation to alleged irregularities surrounding recruitments conducted within civic bodies.
An official statement from the CBI clarified, “The ongoing raids pertain to alleged irregularities in the recruitment process for Group C and Group D positions in municipal bodies. This investigation has been ordered by the court, following a directive from the Calcutta High Court.”
Of note, Mr. Hakim’s residence on Peary Mohan Roy Road in the Chetla locality of south Kolkata is currently under the watchful eye of a contingent of CRPF personnel. As the CBI team commenced their operation at his residence, supporters of Mr. Hakim gathered outside, creating a tense atmosphere.
The CBI, in a sweeping operation, has extended its search to encompass 12 locations, including areas in Kolkata, Kanchrapara, Barrackpore, Halisahar, Dumdum, North Dum Dum, Krishnanagar, Taki, Kamarhati, Chetla, and Bhawanipur. This extensive operation is part of an ongoing investigation involving several individuals, including public servants.
This investigation emanates from a case registered against the director of a private company and unidentified associates. The case, ordered by the Calcutta High Court on April 21, revolves around allegations that this private entity was granted exclusive contracts for various municipal and district primary school councils. These contracts pertained to the recruitment of Group C and Group D personnel and allegedly encompassed tasks such as question paper creation, OMR sheet printing and scanning, and final merit list preparation.
The CBI expounded on the allegations, stating, “It is alleged that the director of a private company, along with other individuals, including public servants, conspired to facilitate the unlawful appointment of numerous unqualified candidates across various municipalities in exchange for monetary benefits.”
This development has taken place in the backdrop of mounting political tensions and legal scrutiny of alleged corruption within West Bengal, reflecting the broader ramifications of this ongoing investigation.
