CBI Requests Calcutta HC Approval to Change Leader of School Job Investigation Team
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Kolkata, Dec 20 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has approached the Calcutta High Court on Friday to seek consent for replacing the current leader of its special investigation team (SIT) that is examining the multi-crore cash-for-school job scandal. However, the court has advised the agency to present its request to the Supreme Court.
Given that the CBI's inquiry into the school job case is both court-directed and court-monitored, any alteration in the probe team members necessitates judicial consent.
The single-judge bench presided over by Justice Amrita Sinha declined to consider the request and instead recommended that the central agency's legal counsel approach the apex court, as the issue is already under its review.
At present, the SIT investigating the school job case is led by Kalyan Bhattacharya, a superintendent-level officer. Bhattacharya was appointed to this role after replacing Dharamveer Singh in May of this year, a change which was also authorized by the court.
On that Friday, the CBI informed the court that Bhattacharya, with only a year remaining until retirement, wished to be reassigned to Delhi, where his family resides.
The CBI has suggested Angshuman Saha, another key member of the investigation team, as the prospective new head of the SIT.
However, with Justice Sinha declining to hear the motion, the CBI must now seek permission from the apex court.
The CBI's investigation is currently at a critical juncture, as the agency has recently arrested several individuals implicated in the case, particularly those who had previously secured bail in cases pursued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a separate investigation.
Consequently, sources indicate that the agency prefers someone like Saha, who has been part of the investigation team for an extended period, to succeed Bhattacharya.
