Have Charges Been Framed Against Partha Chatterjee in the Bengal School Job Scam?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Framing of charges completed against 26 individuals.
- Partha Chatterjee is a central figure in the case.
- The case revolves around irregularities in teacher recruitment.
- Multiple central agencies are investigating the allegations.
- The case highlights issues of governance and accountability in education.
Kolkata, Sep 15 (NationPress) The framing of charges against former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee, along with others implicated in the third Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case tied to the multi-crore cash-for-school job scam, was wrapped up at a special court in Kolkata on Monday.
A total of 26 individuals, including Chatterjee, faced charges in a CBI-registered case concerning irregularities in the hiring of secondary teachers by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). Notably, Trinamool legislator Jiban Krishna Saha from Burwan constituency (Murshidabad) also faced charges.
Last week, the charge framing process concluded in two other related CBI cases, with Chatterjee prominently listed in both.
On Monday, Chatterjee attended the special court proceedings virtually, where the judge noted that he had unlawfully appointed certain confidants to the WBSSC, facilitating the irregular recruitment process.
In response, Chatterjee insisted on his innocence despite his faith in the judicial system. However, the judge advised him to wait for his turn to speak while his counsel presented arguments on his behalf.
Among all individuals accused in the school-job cases, Chatterjee has been in custody the longest, having been arrested in July 2022 at his home by Enforcement Directorate officials. He was later arrested by the CBI.
Chatterjee has faced charges from both the CBI and the ED across all cases associated with the alleged school job scam, being identified as the principal mastermind by both agencies.
The alleged school job scam encompasses six broad categories: the first three involve appointments for secondary, higher secondary, and upper primary teachers via the WBSSC. The fourth category involves primary teachers appointed by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE), while the fifth and sixth involve non-teaching staff in Group-C and Group-D categories, also overseen by the WBSSC.