Kolkata, Nov 19 (NationPress) The Calcutta High Court has granted bail to former president of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay, in connection with the School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment corruption investigation led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

He becomes the second significant figure to receive bail in this case, following the former education minister Partha Chatterjee.

Kalyanmoy had previously secured bail in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case associated with the recruitment scandal. His release from judicial custody is imminent in light of the high court's ruling.

Kalyanmoy petitioned the Calcutta High Court for bail in the CBI investigation, which was reviewed by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, who approved his request.

The CBI alleged that Kalyanmoy was implicated in corruption allegations stemming from the 2016 SSC recruitment process. In 2012, he assumed the role of the administrator for the ad hoc committee of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, holding this position until 2016. That same year, he was appointed as the president of the Board of Secondary Education, a role he maintained until June 22, 2022.

His arrest by the CBI was a direct result of the corruption scandal, and he was subsequently detained by the ED in a related financial misconduct case.

Gangopadhyay was also a member of the advisory committee established by then state education minister Partha Chatterjee. He faced accusations of unlawfully retaining the presidential position of the Board of Secondary Education, which had its term extended twice during his tenure.

The age limit for that position was raised from 60 to 65 by the state School Education Department, and then from 65 to 68. Remarkably, Kalyanmoy continued to serve the board for an additional 16 months at the same salary even after reaching 68. Concerns were raised regarding his continued employment with added compensation. He was also accused of irregularities in the teacher appointments within state-run schools via the SSC panel.

On November 11, Partha Chatterjee was granted bail after spending over three years in custody, following his arrest by the ED in connection with the SSC recruitment corruption scandal.

When Chatterjee was apprehended in July 2022, the ED discovered Rs 20 crore in cash at the residence of his close associate, Arpita Mukherjee, who was also arrested as part of the investigation.

The central agency also seized crucial documents related to 12 immovable properties tied to his associates and paperwork concerning the appointment of Group D staff in educational institutions.

In September, the Calcutta High Court had granted bail to Chatterjee, who had been in ED and later CBI custody before being placed in judicial detention over the last three years.

Despite the bail order, Chatterjee could not be released immediately due to a Supreme Court mandate requiring the trial court to complete witness examinations within two months.