Calcutta High Court Grants Bail to Former Minister Partha Chatterjee
Former minister Partha Chatterjee granted bail, but release stalled.
Calcutta High Court has finally granted bail to former education minister Partha Chatterjee in the infamous cash-for-jobs scandal plaguing the state's school recruitment system. This multi-crore scam, which has been unraveling for years and exposed deep-rooted corruption in government hiring, involves allegations of thousands of illegal appointments in primary and secondary schools. Chatterjee, a key figure in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and once a powerful player in state politics, has been languishing in jail for over three years, making this bail order a potential turning point—though his actual release remains uncertain.
The bail pertains specifically to irregularities in primary school teacher recruitments, a case where the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a charge sheet last December. Chatterjee stands accused as the prime suspect in a racket that allegedly funneled bribes worth billions to secure jobs for unqualified candidates. Despite this relief from Justice Suvra Ghosh's bench, stringent conditions have been imposed: Chatterjee must surrender his passport, stay within the trial court's jurisdiction, attend every hearing, and crucially, refrain from holding any public office until the trial concludes. These measures aim to prevent any interference in the ongoing proceedings, reflecting the court's caution in handling such a high-profile corruption case.
Adding to the intrigue, Chatterjee's freedom might be delayed due to a Supreme Court directive from August in a related CBI probe. The apex court, while granting bail there, stipulated that his release hinges on the trial court recording statements from key witnesses—a process that's far from complete. With Durga Puja festivities approaching, courts are set to close for vacations, pushing back these formalities. Legal experts speculate that this could keep the former minister behind bars through the holiday season, turning what should be a celebratory time into one of continued uncertainty for him and his supporters.
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The scandal erupted in 2022 when unsuccessful candidates petitioned the Calcutta High Court over rigged teacher eligibility tests conducted by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education. This led to CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigations, culminating in Chatterjee's arrest on July 22 after raids uncovered documents linking him to illicit properties and appointments. Further searches at the home of his close aide, Arpita Mukherjee, yielded a staggering Rs 50 crore in cash and gold worth over Rs 5 crore, painting a picture of lavish corruption. Other accused include private developers Ayan Sil and Santu Gangopadhyay, while Chatterjee's son-in-law, Kalyanmoy Bhattacharya, has turned approver, potentially providing damning testimony.
As the case drags on, it continues to rock TMC's foundations, with opposition parties demanding accountability from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government. The scam's scale—estimated to involve thousands of fraudulent hires—has eroded public trust in the education system, affecting countless aspiring teachers and students. While Chatterjee's bail marks a legal victory, it underscores the slow grind of justice in India's complex anti-corruption battles, leaving many to wonder if true accountability will ever be achieved in this web of deceit.
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