Kolkata

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has obtained recruitment details from two more municipalities, Halisahar and Ranaghat, as part of its investigation into the West Bengal civic job scam. These municipalities, located in North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts, have provided information on posts filled since 2014. The CBI is investigating a suspected Rs 200 crore scam linked to 1,814 illegal recruitments across 15 municipal bodies in the state.

Earlier, the CBI questioned the chief executives of both municipalities, uncovering evidence of illegal hiring for posts like drivers, helpers, and health workers, allegedly in exchange for large sums of money. The scam is linked to a private agency, ABS Infozon Private Limited, which is owned by Ayan Sil, who, along with his associates Soumik Chowdhury and Debesh Chakraborty, is accused of being the main beneficiary. The CBI has filed charges against them in a Kolkata court.