Archive · 3 Jan 2026
ED Seizes Rs 3.60 Crore Assets of Bengal Minister
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken away properties worth Rs 3.60 crore from a West Bengal minister named Chandranath Sinha.
The ED thinks he did something wrong by taking money from people who were not qualified for teacher jobs in schools.
They found out about this from a diary of a person named Kuntal Ghosh, who is now in trouble too.
The minister is in charge of small businesses and textiles in the state.
The ED wants to ask the minister more questions and might take him into custody.
They also found a lot of cash and a phone at his house during a search.
The ED says the properties are worth much more now than when they were bought, and the minister might have to sell them if he can't prove where the money came from.
ED seized assets worth Rs 3.60 crore from West Bengal Minister Chandranath Sinha and his family.
The properties confiscated include 10 assets with a market value almost double the registered price.
Sinha is accused of collecting Rs 12.75 crore from ineligible candidates for teacher jobs in state-run schools.
ED officials found Rs 41 lakh in cash and a mobile phone during a raid at Sinha's residence in March 2024.
The minister recommended 159 ineligible candidates for teacher jobs, averaging Rs 8,00,000 collected per candidate.
- Who
- West Bengal Minister Chandranath Sinha and his family
- What
- Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized assets worth Rs 3.60 crore
- When
- March 2024 (raid), August 2023 (Governor's approval)
- Where
- Kolkata, Bolpur in Birbhum district
- Why
- Alleged involvement in cash-for-school job case, collecting Rs 12.75 crore from ineligible candidates for teacher jobs
ED's Stance
Minister's Potential Defense
Asset Valuation
ED's Stance
The ED claims the properties' current market value is almost double the registered price, indicating potential undervaluation.
Minister's Potential Defense
The minister may argue that the properties were registered at fair market value at the time of purchase.
Source of Funds
ED's Stance
The ED requires the minister to provide proof of the source of funds for purchasing the properties.
Minister's Potential Defense
The minister may present documentation to prove the legitimacy of the funds used for the properties.
- Assets Seized
- Rs 3.60 crore
- Properties Confiscated
- 10
- Alleged Funds Collected
- Rs 12.75 crore
- Ineligible Candidates Recommended
- 159
- Average Amount Collected per Candidate
- Rs 8,00,000
- Cash Seized from Residence
- Rs 41 lakh
- Minister's Department
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles
- Governor's Approval
- August 2023
Sources
Bengal school job case: ED confiscates assets worth Rs 3.60 crore of state minister
ED attaches assets worth Rs 3.60 cr of Bengal minister in recruitment scam
ED confiscates assets worth Rs 3.60 cr of state minister in school job case
School job scam: ED attaches Rs 3.6 crore assets of TMC MLA Chandranath Sinha
