Teacher recruitment scam: Partha Chatterjee granted bail after 3 years
Synopsis
Former West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee has been granted bail after over three years in the teacher recruitment scam. He was arrested by the CBI and ED in the case, which the Supreme Court termed a 'large-scale fraud' involving illegal jobs.
Former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee was granted bail and released after three years and three months after he was arrested in connection with a teacher recruitment scam case. A lower court granted him bail.
He was arrested in connection with a recruitment scam case by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He arrived at his Naktala residence after being released. He was shifted to the hospital from Presidency Jail due to his health conditions and admitted to RN Tagore Hospital in Kolkata.
The Recruitment Scam and Legal Battle
Earlier in May, the Supreme Court directed the West Bengal government to grant sanction for prosecuting TMC-leader Partha Chatterjee and other persons accused in the cash-for-jobs scam in the State.
Partha Chatterjee was booked by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the scam where around 26,000 teachers and other school staff were recruited by the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC). The entire recruitment was later held illegal by the Calcutta High Court, and subsequently the High Court's decision was also upheld by the Supreme Court, which had termed the recruitment as "tainted" and based on "large-scale fraud".
Investigation and Political Fallout
In July 2022, the ED arrested Chatterjee, the former West Bengal Education Minister and TMC leader. Chatterjee was previously lodged at the Presidency Correctional Home in May this year.
The Enforcement Directorate had earlier recovered over Rs 21 crore in cash from the house of an associate of Chatterjee.
TMC had suspended Chatterjee from the party after his arrest. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)Stay updated with the Breaking News Today and Latest News from across India and around the world. Get real-time updates, in-depth analysis, and comprehensive coverage of India News, World News, Indian Defence News, Kerala News, and Karnataka News. From politics to current affairs, follow every major story as it unfolds. Get real-time updates from IMD on major cities weather forecasts, including Rain alerts, Cyclone warnings, and temperature trends. Download the Asianet News Official App from the Android Play Store and iPhone App Store for accurate and timely news updates anytime, anywhere.