Bengal School Job Scandal: CBI Chooses Not to Extend Custody for Sujay Bhadra
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Kolkata, Dec 21 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opted not to request an extension of custody for the key accused, Sujay Krishna Bhadra, in the multi-crore cash-for-school-job scandal in West Bengal.
The CBI had taken Bhadra, a leader of the Trinamool Congress, into custody on Wednesday morning, with that custody set to expire on Saturday, at which point he was brought before a special court in Kolkata.
In a surprising turn of events, the CBI's legal representative did not ask for an extension of Bhadra's custody, instead requesting that he be placed in judicial custody.
The CBI's lawyer informed the court that Bhadra had been refusing to eat or take prescribed medications since his detention, leading to various medical issues, as reported to the court by the central agency's counsel.
Bhadra's lawyer subsequently filed a bail application on his behalf and made arguments supporting this request.
In contrast, the CBI's representative opposed the bail request, asserting that if released, Bhadra might attempt to influence key witnesses connected to the case.
The special court ultimately denied the bail application, opting instead to place Bhadra in judicial custody.
Additionally, the CBI disclosed to the court that during the three days of custody, Bhadra had not cooperated with investigating officers nor answered their questions regarding the school job case.
Bhadra is scheduled to appear before a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata on Monday, where charges in the Enforcement Directorate (ED)-registered case are expected to be framed. He is one of 54 individuals named as accused in the charge sheet submitted by the ED, which also includes Partha Chatterjee, the former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Secretary General.
