Priyadarshini Mallick, daughter of former West Bengal Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick — who faces charges in the multi-crore Public Distribution System (PDS) scam — has been removed from her post as secretary of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE), the body that oversees the state board Class 12 examinations. She was served a dismissal notice on Thursday night, according to sources within the State Education Department.

How the Removal Unfolded

State Education Department sources said Priyadarshini Mallick had been asked to step down voluntarily as part of a broader restructuring of the department — itself tainted by the multi-crore cash-for-school-jobs scandal that engulfed the previous All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration. She reportedly declined to comply with that advice.

With no resignation forthcoming, WBCHSE authorities moved to formally remove her from the position. She has since been directed to return to her original role as an assistant professor at the state-aided Asutosh College in South Kolkata. Neither she nor her father has responded to media queries on the matter.

The PDS Scam Background

Her father, Jyotipriya Mallick, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2023 on charges of involvement in the PDS scam during his tenure as state Food and Supplies Minister — though at the time of his arrest he held the portfolio of state forest minister. He spent roughly a year in custody before being released on bail.

Priyadarshini Mallick's name surfaced in the ED's investigation during that period. According to the agency's findings, questions were raised about how she reportedly earned ₹3.37 crore in a single financial year through private tuitions — a figure that drew sharp scrutiny from opposition parties, who also questioned the basis on which she had been appointed secretary of the WBCHSE.

Political Fallout and the 2026 Assembly Election

Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee consistently maintained that Jyotipriya Mallick was innocent, yet did not reinstate him with any ministerial portfolio after his release on bail. He subsequently contested the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections from the Habra constituency in North 24 Parganas district, but was defeated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Debdas Mondal by a margin of over 31,000 votes.

This comes amid a wider post-election accountability push in Bengal, where the new administration has been restructuring departments linked to past controversies. The removal of Priyadarshini Mallick is the latest signal that officials associated with the previous government's scandal-hit tenures face heightened scrutiny.

What Happens Next

It remains unclear whether Priyadarshini Mallick will challenge the dismissal order. The broader restructuring of the WBCHSE and the state education apparatus is expected to continue, with further personnel changes likely. The ED's PDS scam investigation against Jyotipriya Mallick also remains ongoing.