Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Monday at the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Jiban Krishna Saha in Burwan, Murshidabad district, as part of its ongoing investigation into the multi-crore teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal. The raids were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and extended to properties belonging to Saha’s relatives, including TMC councillor Maya Saha in neighbouring Birbhum district.
Attempted Escape and Interrogation
According to ED officials, as the raid teams accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel approached Saha’s residence, the MLA attempted to flee by climbing over a boundary wall. He was, however, apprehended on the spot and subsequently questioned at his residence for several hours.
This is not the first time Saha has faced scrutiny. He was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in April 2023 in connection with the same scam. After spending over a year in custody, he was granted bail in May 2025. His wife had also been questioned earlier in relation to the case.
Focus on Money Trail
The ED’s current investigation is focused on tracing suspicious monetary transactions linked to the alleged recruitment scam. Sources within the agency revealed that fresh leads emerged from financial transactions in Birbhum district, which pointed toward money laundering activities involving individuals closely connected to the scam.
The scam involves allegations of massive corruption in the recruitment process for Group C and D staff, assistant teachers for classes 9 to 12, and primary school teachers in state-run schools. Bribes worth several crores were allegedly paid in exchange for job appointments.
Political Fallout and Previous Arrests
The teacher recruitment scam has had wide-reaching political ramifications in West Bengal. Among the key figures arrested in connection with the case are former state education minister Partha Chatterjee and TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya. The CBI has been investigating the criminal aspects of the case, while the ED is tasked with probing the money laundering component.
The fallout from the scam reached a tipping point in April 2025, when the Supreme Court of India passed a landmark judgment canceling the controversial 2016 teacher appointment panel for state-run schools. The court noted widespread irregularities in the selection process and ordered the state government to conduct fresh recruitments.
