Bengal School Recruitment Scandal: CBI Alleges OMR Sheets Were Destroyed Under Partha Chatterjee's Orders
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Synopsis
The CBI revealed that former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee ordered the destruction of OMR sheets to hide evidence in the cash-for-school-job scandal. The investigation is ongoing, focusing on 321 candidates recommended by influential figures.
Key Takeaways
- OMR sheets were destroyed to conceal evidence.
- Partha Chatterjee is implicated in a multi-crore scandal.
- 321 candidates' recommendations are under investigation.
- Granting bail may hinder the ongoing probe.
- Chatterjee’s age and health are factors for bail consideration.
Kolkata, March 27 (NationPress) The optical marks recognition (OMR) sheets utilized for the recruitment examinations of teachers in state-operated schools were obliterated following instructions from the former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee, with the evident motive of concealing evidence in the multi-crore cash-for-school-job scandal, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealed to a special court in Kolkata on Thursday.
In opposition to the bail request put forth by Chatterjee’s attorney, the CBI representative informed the court that even the former officer-on-special-duty (OSD) of the ex-state Education Minister has disclosed significant information in his “confidential statement”.
The CBI’s legal counsel further asserted that, since the entire scam was executed under the direct oversight of the former minister, granting bail could obstruct the investigation process.
Additionally, the CBI counsel disclosed that investigators have recently obtained the names of 321 candidates who were recommended to Chatterjee by other politically powerful individuals in the state.
The authorities are currently examining whether these recommendations were made in exchange for money, and in the next phase of the investigation, the influential individuals behind these recommendations will also be interrogated.
The lists of the 321 candidates, along with the names of the powerful individuals who recommended them, were retrieved by investigators from the warehouse of Bikash Bhavan, the state Education Department's headquarters located in Salt Lake, northern Kolkata.
During the proceedings, Chatterjee's attorney sought bail for his client citing medical reasons. “He is 73 years old and suffering from multiple health issues. Therefore, he should be granted bail considering his age and health,” the attorney argued.
He also noted that among the total of 11 individuals listed in the CBI's charge sheet, eight have already been granted bail.
Last month, the CBI reported that their investigators had uncovered specific leads indicating that not only written recommendations but also those conveyed via WhatsApp or text messages were taken into account for appointments, and these recommendations, both in writing and through digital means, were personally reviewed by Chatterjee.
