Raids by the Enforcement Directorate are underway at the residences and office of a builder, who is considered close to former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment in primary schools in the state, an official said.

Accompanied by central forces, ED teams raided an office and three flats of the businessman, one of which is just opposite the Chatterjee’s house, in Naktala in the southern part of Calcutta, he said.

“The builder has a significant role in the scam. It seems that the person has helped the arrested minister in investing the money garnered from the scam in different projects,” the ED officer told PTI.

Chatterjee was arrested in July 2022 by the central agency in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment in government-aided schools.

The ED had earlier questioned the builder twice in the case.

“Several documents and bank details seized from the possession of the person have proved that Chatterjee has taken his help to invest money gained from the primary school scam,” the official said.

ED officials are also conducting raids at the showroom and residence of a jeweller in Golpark area in South Kolkata.

Sources in the agency said both the builder and the jeweller have helped the former minister to invest in various projects and schemes.

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