LI Network
Published on: 21 September 2023 at 20:08 IST
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has informed the Calcutta High Court that it has initiated an investigation into potential connections between the Bengali film industry and the cash-for-jobs scam involving teachers and municipal recruitment, which allegedly implicates several high-ranking state officials.
DSG Dhiraj Trivedi, representing the ED, revealed that they have identified one individual from the film industry linked to a money trail connected to the proceeds of the scam. This individual has expressed a willingness to refund the money.
Justice Amrita Sinha commented on the ED’s findings, expressing skepticism that only one person from the film industry could be involved. Trivedi explained that their focus was on tracing money trails connecting recipients of large sums of money to the proceeds of the scam. He requested additional time to provide more details, assuring the court that further revelations were forthcoming.
Additionally, the agency requested ongoing protection for the Special Investigation Team (SIT) members against a cyber complaint filed in connection with raids conducted at the firm of accused AITC leader Abhishek Banerjee.
The court directed the state to ensure that no coercive measures are taken against the SIT in an attempt to obstruct the investigation. Justice Sinha questioned the hyperactivity of officers in this specific case and urged a balanced approach to be maintained.
This development followed the court’s previous instructions to central agencies to submit progress reports on their investigations and to explore potential links between the Bengali film industry and the job scam.
Case Title: Soumen Nandy v. The State of West Bengal & Ors. and connected applications