Calcutta HC Questions CBI on Arrest Strategy in Bengal School Job Case
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Kolkata, Dec 9 (NationPress) The Calcutta High Court on Monday interrogated the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding its strategy to display the main accused in the significant cash-for-school job scandal in West Bengal as arrested.
A division bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Gaurang Kanth queried why the CBI, serving as the investigative body in this case, is not immediately apprehending the prime accused Sujay Krishna Bhadra at the correctional home where he is currently detained, instead opting to seek judicial clearance for the arrest.
The court also reminded the agency that a special court had already authorized the CBI on November 29 to directly arrest Bhadra at the correctional facility.
Bhadra is presently receiving treatment at the jail hospital of Presidency Central Correctional Home in Kolkata. He has been in judicial custody since being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is concurrently investigating the school job case, last year.
The CBI had recently attempted to officially classify Bhadra as arrested in the case. However, repeated efforts by CBI officials to present him before the special court were unsuccessful, as the jail authorities reported that Bhadra's medical condition was not suitable for court appearance.
The division bench also questioned why the CBI has not arranged for Bhadra to appear virtually through video conferencing at the special court. They noted that if the CBI officials desire, they can proceed with Bhadra's official arrest at the correctional home.
Additionally, a single-judge bench presided by Justice Suvra Ghosh granted bail to Bhadra on December 6 concerning the allegations filed against him by the ED in the school job case. However, this bail comes with various conditions, including the surrender of his passport and restrictions on leaving Kolkata until further court orders.
