A high-voltage drama unfolded in West Bengal on Monday when Enforcement Directorate officers arrested Trinamool Congress MLA Jiban Krishna Saha. The arrest came after an early morning raid linked to alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers and staff in state-run schools.
The incident turned sensational when Saha tried to escape from his residence during the search operation. According to officials, he jumped over a wall to avoid detention and attempted to destroy evidence by throwing his mobile phone into a drain. The phone was later retrieved by the officers.
Videos and photographs from the scene showed the Burwan constituency MLA drenched in water, being escorted by Enforcement Directorate and Central Reserve Police Force officials through an area surrounded by trees, garbage, and scattered debris.
Dramatic Attempt to Flee During the Raid
Sources revealed that Saha attempted to evade officials by scaling a wall of his residence. The MLA reportedly rushed toward the backyard during the raid and discarded his phone in a nearby drain. Officials later managed to recover the device.
This act, according to investigators, reflected an attempt to obstruct the investigation. The ED cited Saha’s non-cooperation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as one of the reasons for his arrest. The arrest showcased the intensity of the investigation and the agency’s determination to follow due process despite dramatic resistance.
Official Confirmation of the Arrest
Enforcement Directorate officers confirmed that Jiban Krishna Saha was taken into custody from his home in Murshidabad. The operation was carried out under strict security, with the CRPF providing additional support. Officials stated that Saha repeatedly refused to cooperate during the search and questioning, which compelled his arrest.
According to ED, Saha is being investigated for his alleged role in laundering money linked to recruitment scams in schools. The agency is focusing on the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff across primary and secondary levels, where large-scale irregularities have been alleged.
Link to Recruitment Scam in West Bengal
The arrest of Saha is tied to the broader probe into the West Bengal teachers’ recruitment scam. This scam involves allegations of corruption in the hiring of Group C and Group D staff, assistant teachers in classes nine to twelve, and primary school teachers.
The Enforcement Directorate case originated from a CBI FIR filed on the directions of the Calcutta High Court. The court had ordered investigation into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. The ED later registered a money laundering case based on the CBI’s findings.
Officials believe that bribes were collected for appointments and that proceeds of the crime were laundered through various channels. Jiban Krishna Saha, being a sitting legislator, is accused of using his influence in facilitating the illegal recruitment process.
Background: Previous Arrest by CBI
This is not the first time that Jiban Krishna Saha has faced action from central agencies. In 2023, the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested him for alleged involvement in the same recruitment scam. He was later released but remained under the scanner of investigating agencies.
The ED’s money laundering case is considered an extension of the CBI’s probe. Officials allege that the MLA had knowledge of illegal transactions and failed to disclose crucial information. His arrest marks another phase in the prolonged investigation that has already seen many high-profile names behind bars.
ED Raids Relatives and Associates
Along with the raid on Saha’s residence, Enforcement Directorate officials also conducted searches at the properties of his relatives and associates. Sources confirmed that multiple premises connected to the MLA’s extended network were targeted.
Investigators believe that several assets may have been acquired using illicit funds generated from the recruitment scam. These raids, officials claim, are part of a broader strategy to trace the money trail and uncover the beneficiaries of the illegal scheme.
Arrests in the Recruitment Scam So Far
Jiban Krishna Saha is not the only political figure arrested in connection with the recruitment scandal. The investigation has already led to the arrest of several prominent personalities in West Bengal politics.
Former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested earlier in the case, along with his alleged aide Arpita Mukherjee. Enforcement Directorate officials recovered huge sums of cash and assets from properties linked to them.
Another major arrest was that of Trinamool MLA and former West Bengal Board of Primary Education chairman, Manik Bhattacharya. Several other individuals connected to the scam were also taken into custody.
The ED has so far filed four charge sheets in the case, which continues to expand with each new round of investigation.
Political Reactions and TMC’s Stand
The arrest of Jiban Krishna Saha is expected to create ripples in West Bengal politics. The Trinamool Congress has previously distanced itself from leaders accused in corruption cases. After Partha Chatterjee’s arrest, he was suspended from the party.
It remains to be seen what stand the party will take on Saha’s arrest. Opposition parties in the state have accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of protecting leaders involved in corruption. They argue that repeated arrests of MLAs and ministers show systemic malpractice.
Trinamool leaders, however, maintain that the investigations are politically motivated. They have accused central agencies of targeting opposition leaders to weaken the ruling party in the state.
The Role of ED and CBI in the Probe
The West Bengal recruitment scam has become one of the biggest corruption investigations in the state in recent years. The dual role of CBI and ED has expanded the probe into both the criminal conspiracy and the financial transactions connected to it.
While the CBI is investigating irregularities in recruitment, the ED is probing money laundering aspects under PMLA. The combined effort of the two agencies has so far uncovered a complex web of corruption involving political leaders, middlemen, and bureaucrats.
Officials claim that money collected through illegal recruitment was invested in real estate and other assets. Tracking this money trail is a key focus of the ED’s ongoing investigation.
Court’s Role and Judicial Oversight
The Calcutta High Court has played a central role in ensuring that the recruitment scam is properly investigated. It was the court that directed the CBI to file an FIR and examine irregularities in appointments.
The ED’s case, too, is based on this judicial directive. The court has repeatedly monitored progress and sought updates from the agencies. This judicial oversight has ensured that the probe remains active despite political challenges.
Saha’s Arrest: A Blow to TMC
The arrest of Jiban Krishna Saha adds to the series of embarrassments faced by the ruling Trinamool Congress. Each arrest of a party leader linked to corruption has been exploited by opposition parties as proof of malpractice within the ruling dispensation.
For TMC, the challenge lies in managing its public image while defending itself from corruption charges. The party leadership has often argued that central agencies are being misused. Yet the repeated arrests have kept corruption allegations alive in public discourse.
What Lies Ahead
Following Saha’s arrest, the Enforcement Directorate is expected to intensify its questioning and examine financial documents seized during the raids. Investigators will also scrutinize the retrieved phone to uncover communication records.
The agency aims to connect the dots between different accused individuals and trace the complete money trail. If further evidence is established, more arrests are likely. The case is far from over, and the net may widen in the coming weeks.
The arrest of TMC MLA Jiban Krishna Saha by the Enforcement Directorate has once again brought the West Bengal recruitment scam into sharp focus. His dramatic attempt to flee, the recovery of his discarded phone, and the ED’s extensive raids highlight the seriousness of the investigation.
With several prominent leaders already arrested, the case has become a major political and legal battle. It questions the integrity of recruitment processes in the state and raises larger concerns about corruption in public institutions.
As the ED and CBI continue their probe, the coming days will reveal how deep the scam runs. For now, Saha’s arrest signals that the agencies are determined to pursue every lead, regardless of political stature. The case will remain a defining issue in West Bengal politics and a test of accountability in governance.
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