A judge of the Calcutta High Court has stepped down from hearing the bail application of Trinamool Congress leader Sujit Bose after a defense attorney and a court employee attempted to improperly access confidential case documents in her private chamber.
Justice Suvra Ghosh formally withdrew from the case through an order released on August 19, 2026, stating that the unauthorized actions indicated an improper motive and requesting the Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to investigate the incident.
Unauthorized Attempt to Access Case Files
The breach occurred on August 18, 2026, while Justice Ghosh was actively presiding over courtroom proceedings. According to the court order, one of the legal representatives appearing for Bose colluded with the judge’s personal secretary to obtain the case records. The duo approached staff stationed outside the judge’s chamber and demanded the physical files, but court personnel refused to release them.
The attorney and secretary then attempted to enter the chamber directly to inspect the records, but staff successfully blocked their entry. The incident took place one day after the court had reserved its judgment on August 17, 2026. Citing the impropriety of the situation, Justice Ghosh released the matter and forwarded the files to the Acting Chief Justice for further instructions.
Allegations and Background of the Investigation
The bail plea arises from an ongoing probe by the Enforcement Directorate into municipal recruitment irregularities across West Bengal. Investigators arrested Bose, a former state minister, in Kolkata over allegations that he illegally recommended 150 individuals for various posts within the South Dum Dum Municipality.
Enforcement Directorate officials stated that financial investigations uncovered direct proceeds of crime, including residential apartments acquired in exchange for municipal positions. Investigators also traced substantial cash deposits in bank accounts managed by Bose. Prior to his arrest and subsequent appearance before a special court, the politician had responded to multiple summonses, reporting to the agency’s CGO Complex in Salt Lake accompanied by his son, Samudra.
