Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out extensive searches at several locations across Kolkata as part of its probe into the alleged municipal recruitment scam in West Bengal, a senior official confirmed.

Teams from the central agency launched simultaneous raids early in the morning, including one at a residence on Hemchandra Naskar Road in Beleghata, following fresh intelligence inputs.

According to officials, the ED recently gathered new evidence pointing to the involvement of several companies suspected of playing a role in irregularities during the recruitment process.

"Based on these findings, our officers initiated the search operation at 75, Hemchandra Naskar Road," the official said.

The property is reportedly owned by two brothers — Biswajit Choudhury and Ranjit Choudhury. While Biswajit runs a textile business, Ranjit is said to be engaged in construction and real estate ventures.

The searches were conducted under tight security provided by central paramilitary personnel, and the operation continued for several hours, sources added.

The ED has been investigating the municipal recruitment scam for several months and has already taken multiple individuals into custody, including Ayan Seal, one of the key accused in the case.

Earlier this month, agency officials had also raided several other locations in the city, including the Salt Lake office of state Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose and a restaurant owned by his son, in connection with the same investigation.