Did Ex-Bengal Minister Paresh Adhikary and Daughter Ankita Seek Exemption in School Jobs Case?
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Synopsis
In a significant legal move, former West Bengal minister Paresh Adhikary and his daughter, Ankita, are contesting allegations in a school recruitment scandal, claiming innocence and seeking court exemption. The case raises questions about nepotism and merit in educational appointments.
Key Takeaways
- Paresh and Ankita Adhikary assert their innocence in the recruitment case.
- They filed an exemption petition in court.
- Recent bail was granted on a personal bond of Rs 7,000.
- The CBI has filed multiple charge sheets in the case.
- The High Court previously annulled Ankita's job due to alleged irregularities.
Kolkata, Sep 11 (NationPress) Former West Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress MLA Paresh Adhikary along with his daughter Ankita Adhikary have submitted an exemption petition to a court, aiming for their release from a school jobs recruitment controversy.
On Thursday, the father-daughter duo asserted their innocence in court, with Ankita stating that she secured her teaching position based on her own merit.
Their attorney contended that at the time Ankita was appointed, Paresh Adhikary held no authoritative role, suggesting there was no possibility of him exerting influence to obtain the teaching job for his daughter.
In their filing, both individuals requested to be released from the case, with the court set to address their petition at a future date.
It is significant to mention that both Paresh Adhikary and Ankita were granted bail in the School Service Commission (SSC) teacher recruitment scandal last Wednesday.
They had previously surrendered to the CBI Special Court in Alipore, Kolkata, in relation to corruption allegations surrounding the SSC recruitment process.
During their court appearance, they also sought bail, which was granted conditionally at the end of the day on a personal bond of Rs 7,000.
Recently, the CBI delivered its final charge-sheet concerning the SSC recruitment for classes 9-10 and 11-12. Additionally, a final charge-sheet was submitted to the Alipore court regarding the Group-C recruitment case last month. In total, four charge sheets have been filed.
Seventy-five individuals were summoned to the court across all cases, prompting Paresh and Ankita Adhikary to surrender.
Interestingly, Ankita's name was listed as number 104 in the 'tainted and ineligible' candidates published by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) recently.
It is worth recalling that Ankita acquired a teaching position in political science for classes 11 and 12 via WBSSC. However, another applicant, Babita Sarkar, raised a legal challenge in the Calcutta High Court, claiming Ankita obtained the job unlawfully. In May 2022, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay from the Calcutta High Court annulled Ankita's appointment.
The High Court also mandated the return of her salary, allowing Babita to assume the position of the former minister's daughter, along with an approximate salary of Rs 15 lakh.
Subsequently, it was discovered that there was an error in Babita's mark evaluation. She too lost her position following another case filed by Anamika Roy, who ultimately secured the job.
However, Anamika also lost her role after the Supreme Court invalidated the teaching and non-teaching appointments of approximately 26,000 candidates.
Point of View
The ongoing legal issues surrounding Paresh Adhikary and his daughter highlight critical concerns regarding transparency and integrity in recruitment processes within the education sector. It is essential that justice prevails, ensuring that meritocracy is upheld and that corruption is addressed effectively.
NationPress
03/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the school jobs recruitment case involving Paresh Adhikary?
The case pertains to allegations of corruption in the School Service Commission recruitment process, involving former minister Paresh Adhikary and his daughter Ankita, who secured a teaching position.
What is the current status of Paresh and Ankita Adhikary?
Both have filed for exemption from the ongoing case and were granted bail recently after surrendering to a CBI court.
What was the outcome of the Calcutta High Court ruling regarding Ankita's job?
The High Court annulled Ankita's teaching position, demanding the return of her salary and allowing another candidate, Babita Sarkar, to take the job.
How many charge-sheets have been filed in the case?
In total, four charge-sheets have been submitted concerning the SSC recruitment process.
What are the implications of this case for educational recruitment in West Bengal?
This case raises significant questions about nepotism and the integrity of recruitment processes, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
