Will the ED Postpone the Release of Bengal Minister?
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Synopsis
The ongoing saga of Partha Chatterjee, former West Bengal Education Minister, continues as the ED is expected to delay his release from judicial custody. After a recent court ruling granting him bail, technicalities may keep him detained longer. Explore the implications of this decision in the latest developments surrounding the cash-for-school-job scandal.
Key Takeaways
- ED likely to delay Chatterjee's release.
- Recent court ruling grants him bail.
- Technicalities prevent immediate release.
- Potential for indefinite custody extension.
- Case linked to large recruitment irregularities.
Kolkata, Sep 30 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is poised to further postpone the release of the former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee from his ongoing judicial custody, which has been in effect since July 2022, according to officials on Tuesday.
On September 26, a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court granted Chatterjee bail in a case initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning irregularities in the recruitment of primary teachers.
This ruling had seemingly paved the way for Chatterjee's release from judicial custody, as it was the final case against him related to the multi-crore cash-for-school-job scandal being investigated by both the CBI and ED.
However, due to certain technicalities, Chatterjee's release did not occur on the expected date.
During a hearing on August 18 regarding Chatterjee's bail plea, the Supreme Court stated that the lower court, specifically a special CBI court, must first complete the charge-framing process for all cases filed against him by the central investigative agency and record statements of all witnesses before Chatterjee could be released.
This implies that Chatterjee could potentially be released from judicial custody by November this year, contingent upon the completion of the witness statements.
Nonetheless, informed sources indicate that the ED has a strategic option to extend Chatterjee's judicial custody indefinitely, even post-November.
According to insiders, despite being listed as an accused in both the WBSSC and WBBPE cases, the ED has yet to formally arrest Chatterjee related to the WBSSC cases.
If the ED chooses to pursue this option and labels Chatterjee as arrested before his expected release in November, there is a significant chance that his judicial custody could be extended.
This tactic mirrors the approach taken in the recent case of Jiban Krishna Saha, a Trinamool Congress legislator from the Murshidabad constituency, who was arrested by the ED last month in a similar WBSSC case after previously being released on bail following an arrest by the CBI.
Saha is currently back in judicial custody due to this latest development.
Point of View
It is imperative to emphasize that the developments surrounding Partha Chatterjee reflect the complexities of our legal system. The ED's potential strategies to prolong judicial custody raise questions about due process and the implications for justice in high-profile cases. NationPress remains committed to delivering unbiased, factual reporting on this evolving story.
NationPress
30/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Partha Chatterjee still in judicial custody?
Partha Chatterjee remains in judicial custody due to technicalities related to the ongoing legal processes and the requirement for the completion of witness statements before his release.
What are the charges against Partha Chatterjee?
Chatterjee faces charges related to irregularities in the recruitment of primary teachers, part of a larger cash-for-school-job scandal involving both the CBI and ED.
Can the ED extend Chatterjee's custody indefinitely?
Yes, the ED has the option to extend Chatterjee's custody by formalizing his arrest in related cases, even after his expected release.
What was the recent court ruling regarding Chatterjee?
The Calcutta High Court recently granted bail to Chatterjee in one of the cases against him, but he remains in custody due to other pending legal matters.
What implications does this case have on political accountability?
This case underscores the ongoing scrutiny of political figures in India, highlighting the intersection of law, governance, and accountability.
