Did Ex-WBBSE Chief Secure Bail in the Bengal Cash-for-Job Controversy?
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Synopsis
In a significant legal development, Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay, the former WBBSE president, was granted bail in a high-profile cash-for-job case. However, his release is complicated by other ongoing investigations. This article delves into the implications of his case and the wider educational irregularities in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
- Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay granted bail but remains in custody.
- Accusations of cash-for-job scandals in West Bengal.
- 25,753 jobs annulled by the Supreme Court.
- Involvement of CBI and ED in investigations.
- Issues of educational integrity and accountability raised.
Kolkata, June 24 (NationPress) Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay, the former head of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), was granted bail on Tuesday by a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court in connection with the cash-for-school job case initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Despite receiving bail from Justice Suvra Ghosh, Gangopadhyay will remain incarcerated due to an ongoing judicial custody related to another case pursued by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is also investigating the school-job scandal.
He is implicated in significant recruitment irregularities affecting both teaching and non-teaching staff across secondary and higher secondary education levels. The allegations specifically point to his involvement in a scheme where ineligible candidates were awarded teaching and non-teaching positions in exchange for substantial financial sums.
In April, a division bench of the Supreme Court annulled 25,753 teaching and non-teaching appointments from the 2016 panel of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). During this period, Gangopadhyay was overseeing the WBBSE.
In addition to his role as WBBSE chairman, he was part of an advisory board for school education set up by the former state education minister and ex-secretary general of the Trinamool Congress, Partha Chatterjee, who is also in custody after being identified as a key figure in the school-job scandal by both CBI and ED.
Gangopadhyay faces accusations of issuing appointment letters to candidates who did not meet eligibility criteria, bypassing established protocols and neglecting to verify the WBSSC’s screening committee's recommendations. Investigators have expressed astonishment at how he maintained his position as WBBSE president for a decade.
Point of View
The situation surrounding Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay highlights critical issues of integrity and accountability in educational governance. As investigations unfold, it is imperative to uphold the principles of justice and transparency, ensuring that those responsible for educational malpractice are held accountable.
NationPress
24/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay's arrest?
Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay was arrested due to accusations of involvement in recruitment irregularities, where ineligible candidates were appointed to teaching and non-teaching positions in exchange for bribes.
What is the current status of his legal cases?
He has been granted bail in the ED’s case but remains in custody due to ongoing investigations by the CBI related to separate charges.
How many jobs were affected by the Supreme Court ruling?
The Supreme Court annulled 25,753 jobs that were filled based on the 2016 panel of the WBSSC, which Gangopadhyay oversaw at the time.
