ED Team Reaches TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Kalighat Residence in Primary Recruitment Case

A team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday visited the Kalighat residence of Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged primary teacher recruitment irregularities in West Bengal.

The visit came amid continuing scrutiny by central agencies into the recruitment process and marks another development in a case that has witnessed multiple rounds of questioning, searches and arrests over the past few years.
ED Team Arrives at Kalighat

According to sources, ED officials reached Abhishek Banerjee’s residence in south Kolkata during the day in connection with the primary recruitment case. The visit was linked to the agency’s efforts to gather information and documents relevant to its money-laundering investigation arising from the alleged recruitment scam.

The arrival of the central agency's officers drew attention as the probe into recruitment-related irregularities continues to expand across multiple districts of West Bengal.

Abhishek Banerjee has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the matter and has previously maintained that he has no connection with the alleged irregularities being investigated by the agency.
Background of the Recruitment Probe
The recruitment controversy first emerged following allegations of irregularities in appointments to primary schools in West Bengal.

Subsequent court-monitored investigations led to inquiries by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate.

Over time, investigators examined allegations relating to illegal appointments, financial transactions and the alleged generation of proceeds of crime linked to the recruitment process.
The ED's investigation focuses on the money trail associated with the alleged irregularities, while parallel probes have sought to determine the manner in which recruitment procedures were allegedly manipulated.

The central agency's visit to Kalighat comes against the backdrop of several previous interactions between investigators and Abhishek Banerjee.

In earlier phases of the probe, the Trinamool leader had appeared before investigating officers and answered questions relating to the case. On multiple occasions, he criticised the actions of central agencies, alleging that they were being used for political purposes.
Despite the political controversy surrounding the investigation, the agencies have continued their inquiries under judicial supervision and in accordance with court directives.

Leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress have consistently alleged that central investigative agencies are being deployed selectively against opposition leaders. The BJP, on the other hand, has maintained that the agencies are carrying out investigations based on evidence collected during the course of the probe.

The latest development comes at a politically sensitive moment, with the Trinamool Congress navigating organisational and legislative challenges following the Assembly elections.