Why Did the Court Deny Bail to Trinamool MLA Jiban Krishna Saha in SSC Recruitment Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jiban Krishna Saha's bail plea denied
- ED's strong opposition cited potential influence
- Funds linked to family accounts
- Multiple arrests in the ongoing investigation
- Calls for accountability in politics
Kolkata, Sep 18 (NationPress) The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court has denied the bail request of Trinamool Congress MLA Jiban Krishna Saha, who was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to the School Service Commission recruitment scam.
The TMC MLA's bail application was submitted on Thursday.
During the proceedings, the ED voiced strong objections against the bail request, asserting that funds from the scam had been transferred into Saha's personal bank accounts.
Moreover, it was claimed that the illicit funds also reached the accounts of his family members. Granting bail could potentially disrupt the ongoing investigation due to his influential position.
In contrast, Saha's attorney argued that his client has no links to corruption and therefore should be released on bail.
Despite these arguments, the judge decided to reject the bail request, placing Saha in judicial custody.
Last month, the ED apprehended the TMC MLA at his residence in Burwan, Murshidabad district.
Reports indicate that he attempted to evade arrest by climbing a boundary wall and discarding one of his mobile phones in a bush.
However, ED officials intervened, preventing his escape and recovering the discarded phone. Following his inability to satisfactorily answer questions concerning large sums of money found in his relatives' accounts, he was arrested by the central agency.
Saha had been previously arrested by the CBI in this same case back in April 2023, but was granted bail by the Supreme Court after 13 months.
According to information, ED officials have asserted in court that the funds from the scam were deposited into Jiban Krishna Saha's bank account in multiple transactions.
The case initiated by the ED is based on a CBI FIR filed under the directive of the Calcutta High Court concerning alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Group C and D staff, assistant teachers for classes 9 to 12, and primary educators.
The central agency has filed four charge sheets to date and apprehended several prominent figures, including former state education minister Partha Chatterjee, his alleged associate Arpita Mukherjee, and former TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya.