The Calcutta High Court has transferred the investigation into alleged financial irregularities at Taki Municipality in North 24 Parganas to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), after the court was told that an audit had indicated the suspected embezzlement of nearly Rs 20 crore.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Rabindra V Bhug and Justice Om Narayan Rai ordered the West Bengal CID to take over the investigation from the state police. The court’s intervention came during a hearing on a petition alleging financial misconduct at the municipality.
The case was brought to the court by former Taki municipal councillor Pradyut Das. According to the petitioner, an audit report by the Accountant General indicated that approximately Rs 20 crore had been misappropriated from the municipality. The allegations include the transfer of money from municipal accounts to private bank accounts, followed by withdrawals.
The petitioner has also alleged that illegal appointments were made at the municipality. The court filing, as reported, names the municipal chairman and several employees in connection with the alleged financial irregularities. These remain allegations and will be examined through the investigation.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the state submitted a report to the bench stating that the state police had already begun investigating the matter and that several people had been arrested. After examining the report, the Chief Justice described the matter as a serious offence and observed that public tax money could not be misused in this manner.
The court’s order shifts responsibility for the investigation to the CID, placing the state agency in charge of examining the alleged transactions, the audit findings and the role of municipal officials and employees named in the petition. The order also requires the state police to immediately hand over all investigation-related documents to the CID.
The case highlights the accountability mechanisms available when allegations concern the finances of a municipality, an urban local body responsible for administering civic services and managing public funds. In this matter, the alleged financial transactions and appointments are now subject to investigation by a specialised state agency rather than only the local police.
The CID has been directed to submit its investigation report to the High Court in a sealed cover by December 10. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on the same day.
