Kolkata, Nov 9 (NationPress) The investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scandal has unveiled that the detained Trinamool Congress MLA Jiban Krishna Saha and his accomplices solicited payments for job placements from both unqualified job applicants and those who met the qualifications.

As reported by sources within the central investigative agency on Sunday, substantial sums of money were extorted from numerous candidates under the pretext of securing teaching positions in government schools. The ED has asserted that a well-organized syndicate led by Saha was involved in selling jobs for monetary gain.

Sources indicate that Saha has emerged as the principal architect of this syndicate.

According to the ED, the tactics of intimidation and avarice were employed even among qualified candidates. Many were informed that financial payments were necessary to secure employment. Those who resisted were reportedly threatened with the revocation of their appointment letters. The ED alleged that demands ranged from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 16.50 lakh.

Additionally, the ED has documented testimonies from numerous candidates who have provided comprehensive details about the monetary transactions involving the MLA and his associates. Several candidates reported that their recruitment was either postponed or nullified when they initially declined to pay.

Sources further revealed that Saha orchestrated this transactional network at both district and state levels. The central agency is actively investigating the channels used for these financial exchanges, while also gathering mobile messages and bank transaction records as pertinent evidence.

Investigators suspect that this corruption network has extended across various regions of the state. They are also planning to interrogate Saha in the presence of affected candidates in the near future.

Recently, a court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) denied bail to Jiban Krishna Saha, who has been detained by the ED in connection with the SSC recruitment corruption case. The judge mandated his judicial custody until November 18.

It's crucial to note that in August, the ED apprehended the Trinamool MLA at his residence in Burwan, located in Murshidabad district. In an attempt to evade capture, he tried to scale a wall and discarded one of his two mobile devices into a bush. However, he was intercepted by ED officials, who also recovered the phone. Following his inability to satisfactorily respond to questions regarding substantial sums found in his relatives' bank accounts, he was taken into custody by the financial investigation agency.

Earlier in April 2023, the CBI had also arrested Saha in connection with the same case, although he was later granted bail by the Supreme Court after a duration of 13 months.

Sources mentioned that ED officials informed the court that funds related to the scam were deposited into Saha's bank account in multiple installments.

The ED's investigation originates from a CBI FIR filed upon directives from the Calcutta High Court regarding alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Group C and D personnel, as well as assistant teachers for Classes 9 to 12 and primary educators. The central agency has submitted four charge sheets and detained several significant figures, including former State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, his alleged associate Arpita Mukherjee, and former TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya.