Did the Former WBBSE Chief Get Bail in the CID Case Yet Remain Behind Bars?
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Synopsis
In a significant legal development, Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay, the former WBBSE chief, has been granted bail in a CID case related to a massive school job scandal, yet remains in custody due to other charges. Explore the implications of this saga involving multiple government agencies and the ongoing ramifications for educational integrity in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
- Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay granted bail but remains in custody.
- Multiple agencies are investigating a massive school job scam.
- Supreme Court ruling annulled thousands of job appointments.
- Gangopadhyay's tenure as WBBSE president raises questions about governance.
- Allegations involve serious recruitment irregularities impacting educational integrity.
Kolkata, July 23 (NationPress) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court has, on Wednesday, provided bail to Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay, the former president of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), in a case initiated against him by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) concerning his role in the extensive cash-for-school job scandal in West Bengal.
Despite receiving bail from the CID matter, he will remain incarcerated due to his ongoing judicial custody linked to a separate case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Earlier this year, he had also been granted bail in a different case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), but was still unable to secure his release for the same underlying reason.
In total, three distinct cases have been brought against him related to the alleged school-job scam, with one each filed by the CBI, ED, and CID.
Gangopadhyay faces accusations of irregularities in recruitment practices for teaching roles at both secondary and higher secondary levels, as well as for non-teaching positions in Group-C and Group-D. The primary allegation is that he was deeply involved in the irregular processes that allowed ineligible candidates to secure teaching and non-teaching roles for substantial sums.
In April of this year, a division bench of the Supreme Court annulled 25,753 teaching and non-teaching appointments made under the 2016 panel of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). At that time, Gangopadhyay was overseeing the WBBSE.
In addition to his role as WBBSE chairman, he was also part of the advisory board for school education established by the then state education minister, Partha Chatterjee, who is currently imprisoned after being identified by both the CBI and ED as the key mastermind in the school-job scandal.
Gangopadhyay is accused of issuing appointment letters to candidates who did not meet eligibility criteria, violating all established norms and bypassing the recommendations made by the WBSSC’s screening committee. Investigators have expressed astonishment at how his tenure was repeatedly renewed, allowing him to serve as WBBSE president uninterrupted for a decade.
Point of View
This case underlines the critical need for transparency and accountability in educational recruitment processes. The involvement of multiple investigative agencies highlights systemic failures that must be addressed to restore public trust. The Nation stands firmly in advocating for thorough investigations and necessary reforms.
NationPress
24/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main allegations against Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay?
Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay faces allegations of recruitment irregularities, allowing ineligible candidates to secure teaching and non-teaching jobs in exchange for hefty sums.
Why is Gangopadhyay still in custody despite being granted bail?
He remains in custody due to ongoing judicial proceedings related to a separate case filed against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
How many cases are filed against him?
There are three distinct cases filed against him by the CBI, ED, and CID related to the alleged school-job scam.
What was the Supreme Court's recent ruling regarding this case?
The Supreme Court recently annulled 25,753 teaching and non-teaching jobs that were recruited under the 2016 panel of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC).
Who was the state education minister associated with Gangopadhyay?
The then state education minister was Partha Chatterjee, who has been identified as a principal mastermind in the school-job case and is currently imprisoned.
