Bengal school job scam: ED files second chargesheet against Partha Chatterjee
Synopsis
The ED's second supplementary chargesheet in the Bengal school jobs scam keeps the pressure on former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and aide Arpita Mukherjee. With ₹301.58 crore in assets attached and allegations of OMR tampering, bribery, and money laundering through multiple entities, this case is far from its legal conclusion — and the accused list could still grow.
Key Takeaways
The ED filed a second supplementary chargesheet on 25 June 2025 before a special PMLA court in Kolkata .
Accused include former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and his associate Arpita Mukherjee .
Allegations cover OMR score manipulation , personality test tampering, illegal appointments, and collection of illegal gratification.
The ED alleges Partha Chatterjee abused his official position in connivance with WBSSC and West Bengal Board of Secondary Education officials.
Three provisional attachment orders totalling ₹301.58 crore have been issued in the case so far.
The complaint builds on an original chargesheet dated 18 April 2024 and a first supplementary chargesheet dated 18 October 2025 .
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a second supplementary chargesheet against former West Bengal Education Minister and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) Secretary General Partha Chatterjee, his close associate Arpita Mukherjee, and others before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Kolkata on 25 June 2025, in connection with the multi-crore cash-for-school jobs scam. The complaint was filed by the ED's Kolkata Zonal Office and builds on an original chargesheet dated 18 April 2024 and a first supplementary chargesheet dated 18 October 2025.
What the Chargesheet Alleges
According to the ED, the investigation uncovered a large-scale recruitment scam involving manipulation of OMR scores, tampering of personality test marks, illegal appointments of undeserving candidates, and issuance of appointment letters after the validity of selection panels had lapsed. Thousands of candidates were allegedly appointed or recommended for teaching posts in violation of prescribed rules, depriving eligible applicants of their rightful positions.
The scheduled offences cited in the complaint include criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The ED's probe was initiated on the basis of First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Partha Chatterjee's Alleged Role
Investigators have established, according to the ED statement, that Partha Chatterjee played a central role in influencing and facilitating the illegal recruitment process by abusing his official position. He allegedly acted in connivance with officials of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, and various middlemen.
The agency further alleged that illegal gratification was collected from undeserving candidates in exchange for appointments and recommendations. The proceeds generated from these criminal activities were reportedly routed through multiple persons and entities and projected as untainted assets — a classic money laundering pattern under PMLA provisions.
Assets Attached So Far
The ED has so far issued three provisional attachment orders in this case, amounting to a combined ₹301.58 crore. The proceeds of crime, according to the agency, were concealed, possessed, acquired, and used through various means to project them as legitimate property.
Background and Context
The West Bengal school jobs scam has been one of the most politically sensitive corruption cases in recent years, implicating the TMC government's handling of state-level education appointments. Partha Chatterjee was arrested by the ED in July 2022, shortly after cash and gold worth crores were recovered from premises linked to Arpita Mukherjee. He was subsequently removed from the West Bengal Cabinet and stripped of his party posts, though he remains a TMC member. The case has drawn sustained scrutiny from both the judiciary and central agencies, with the Supreme Court and Calcutta High Court having intervened at various stages on related matters.
With the second supplementary chargesheet now filed, the trial proceedings before the special PMLA court in Kolkata are expected to intensify, and further disclosures from the ongoing investigation could widen the accused list.
Point of View
Not narrowing — unusual at this stage and worth noting. The ₹301.58 crore attachment figure is substantial, but the more consequential detail is the alleged institutional capture: WBSSC officials, board functionaries, and middlemen operating in apparent coordination. What mainstream coverage underplays is the scale of harm to legitimate candidates — thousands of eligible teachers allegedly denied appointments. That human cost, not just the money trail, is what makes this case politically explosive for the TMC ahead of the next state election cycle.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bengal school job scam?
The Bengal school job scam refers to a large-scale illegal recruitment fraud in West Bengal in which undeserving candidates were allegedly appointed to teaching posts through manipulation of OMR scores, tampering of personality test marks, and payment of bribes. The case is being investigated by both the CBI and the ED under PMLA provisions.
Who are the main accused in the ED's latest chargesheet?
The primary accused named in the second supplementary chargesheet are former West Bengal Education Minister and TMC Secretary General Partha Chatterjee and his close associate Arpita Mukherjee, along with others. Chatterjee has been in custody since his arrest by the ED in July 2022.
What does the ED allege about how the money was laundered?
The ED alleges that illegal gratification collected from undeserving candidates was routed through multiple persons and entities and projected as untainted assets. The agency says the proceeds of crime were concealed, possessed, and used through various means to disguise their criminal origin.
How much has the ED attached in this case so far?
The ED has issued three provisional attachment orders in the Bengal school jobs scam, totalling ₹301.58 crore, according to the agency's statement.
What happens next in the case?
With the second supplementary chargesheet filed before the special PMLA court in Kolkata, trial proceedings are expected to intensify. The ED's ongoing investigation could potentially expand the list of accused, and further disclosures are anticipated as the case progresses.
