Kolkata, Oct 8 (UNI) The CBI on Sunday began searching the houses of West Bengal Minister and city Mayor Firhad Hakim and TMC legislator Madan Mitra in south Kolkata, official sources confirmed.
The search is being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths at Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Hakim’s house at Chetla, and Mitra’s residence in Bhawanipur, sources said.
The federal probe agency was conducting raids in Hakim’s house in relation to the alleged irregularities in appointments for different posts in civic bodies across the state.
It was alleged the jobs were provided in lieu of cash.The Calcutta High Court has directed the CBI to conduct a probe into the alleged jobs for cash scams in different municipalities.
The central probe agencies also recently searched different municipalities, which are under the scanner of investigation.
Hakim represents the Kolkata Port constituency in the state Assembly and Ward number 82 in Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
CRPF jawans surrounded the house, preventing others from getting in while the CBI officials searched room to room.
Daughter Priyadarshini Hakim, who was prevented from entering the house by the central forces, was allowed to get in after the CBI officials recognised her. She along with three domestic helpers has been allowed to get in.
Hakim’s supporters and followers also were seen protesting against the search operation in Hakim’s house and shouted slogans against the central forces.
Another central probe agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had searched the house of state food and Supplies minister Rathin Ghosh in North 24 Parganas and grilled him for nearly 19 hours on Thursday in connection with the alleged recruitment scam.
A total of 14 properties, including the houses of TMC leaders, were also searched.
The CBI is also conducting raids at the house of Kamarhati MLA and former TMC minister Madan Mitra in connection with the same case.
The Calcutta High Court had directed the CBI to carry out a court-monitored probe into the alleged corruption across the state.
