ED Raids House of Jiban Krishna Saha in Murshidabad
KOLKATA : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted fresh raids on Monday at the residence of Trinamool Congress MLA Jiban Krishna Saha in Burwan, Murshidabad district, as part of its ongoing probe into the West Bengal teachers’ recruitment scam.
According to officials, Saha attempted to escape through the back gate of his house when ED officers arrived. In a desperate move, he threw his mobile phone into a bush. However, central security forces stopped him, and the device was later recovered and seized by ED officers for examination.
The MLA is currently being questioned at his residence.
Raids Extended to Family and Associates
The ED operation was not limited to the MLA’s residence. Raids were also conducted at the homes of his close relatives and associates.
Officials searched the residence of Saha’s in-laws in Raghunathganj, also in Murshidabad. Additionally, the agency raided the home of Trinamool councillor Maya Saha, the MLA’s aunt, in Sainthia, Birbhum district.
Heavy deployment of central forces was seen at these locations, ensuring security while the ED teams carried out their investigation. The agency has also conducted multiple searches in Kolkata and surrounding districts in connection with the same case.
Background: Previous Evidence Tampering Attempt
This is not the first time the MLA has attempted to destroy potential evidence. In April 2023, during a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raid at his house, Saha threw two mobile phones into a pond to prevent investigators from retrieving data.
After an extensive search, which even required the pond to be drained, the devices were recovered. Saha was subsequently arrested by the CBI on April 17, 2023, in connection with the SSC recruitment case. He was granted bail by the Supreme Court after spending nearly 13 months in custody.
Statewide Search Operations
Monday’s raids were part of a larger search drive by the ED across West Bengal, including Kolkata, Murshidabad, and Birbhum districts.
At Saha’s Burwan residence, two vehicles arrived early in the morning—one carrying ED officials and another with central security personnel. The five-member ED team entered the house while security forces cordoned off the area.
Simultaneous raids were also carried out at the residence of Togor Saha, the MLA’s wife, in Raghunathganj. Another search targeted the home of Rajesh Ghosh, a bank employee in Mahish village, Murshidabad.
ED sources claim that the latest operation was launched after investigators obtained fresh leads in the scam.
Growing Pressure on Trinamool Congress
The SSC teachers’ recruitment scam has emerged as one of the most politically sensitive issues in West Bengal. Several leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress are under the scanner, leading to mounting pressure on the party.
The ED and CBI have been conducting raids across the state for more than a year, seizing documents, digital evidence, and recording witness statements. Monday’s raid on Saha highlights the agency’s determination to pursue new evidence despite past obstructions.
What Lies Ahead
ED officials have not yet disclosed the details of the evidence they expect to find during this round of raids. However, sources suggest that Saha’s seized phone may contain critical information linking him to irregularities in the SSC recruitment process.
With searches still ongoing in multiple districts, more revelations are likely in the coming days. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Jiban Krishna Saha and his role in the unfolding recruitment scam.