Calcutta High Court Deliberates on Bail Request by Partha Chatterjee and Four Others in Bengal School Employment Scandal
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Kolkata, Dec 17 (NationPress) A newly formed bench at the Calcutta High Court convened on Tuesday to examine the bail request submitted by Partha Chatterjee, the former West Bengal Education Minister and Secretary General of the Trinamool Congress, in the extensive cash-for-school job scandal, ultimately reserving its decision.
On November 20, a division bench comprising Justice Arijit Bandopadhya and Justice Apruba Sinha Roy delivered a split ruling regarding the bail application of Chatterjee and eight other individuals implicated in the case.
Justice Bandopadhya expressed support for granting bail to Chatterjee and the other eight accused, whereas Justice Sinha Roy denied bail to Chatterjee and four others.
Following this, the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court assigned the case to Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, with the comprehensive hearing concluding on Tuesday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has consistently opposed the bail plea for Chatterjee and four others, claiming that their considerable influence poses a risk of evidence tampering and witness intimidation if released. Furthermore, the CBI indicated that the trial could not proceed due to the absence of required state government approvals for state employees.
Additionally, the CBI's counsel countered the defense's argument advocating for bail based on the age of the accused, stating that age alone does not constitute a valid legal basis for granting bail.
Chatterjee is facing two concurrent investigations: one conducted by the CBI and the other by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
In July 2022, he was apprehended by the ED following the discovery of significant quantities of cash and gold at the residences of his associate Arpita Mukherjee. Since that time, he has been confined to a solitary cell at the Presidency Central Correctional Home, with multiple bail requests being declined across various courts. Mukherjee remains in judicial custody as well.
Immediately following his arrest, the Trinamool Congress announced his ousting from all administrative and organizational roles, even dissolving the position of Secretary General, which had been specifically established to elevate Chatterjee's rank within the party.
