Partha Chatterjee granted bail by Supreme Court after 2.5 years

Partha Chatterjee, former education minister of West Bengal, has been granted bail by the Supreme Court after spending nearly two and a half years in custody. Chatterjee was arrested on July 23, 2022, in connection with a large-scale corruption case related to the teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal. The case involves alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Group C and Group D employees, as well as teachers for state-run schools. Chatterjee was accused of using his position to facilitate illegal appointments in exchange for bribes, leading to his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Supreme Court granted bail with specific conditions. While Chatterjee has been allowed to walk free, the court has barred him from holding any ministerial position until the completion of the trial and the final verdict. The court also ruled that Chatterjee can retain his position as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) but cannot resume his role as a minister. His release has raised significant legal and political discussions, but the court’s decision does not impact the ongoing investigations and legal proceedings.

Chatterjee faces multiple charges, including corruption and money laundering, in connection with the recruitment scam. The ED and CBI have alleged that he played a central role in facilitating illegal appointments, including the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff for the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) and other government departments. The agencies have accused him of accepting bribes in return for ensuring candidates' selection. Several individuals associated with the case have been arrested, including key figures from the WBSSC.

The teacher recruitment scam involves multiple cases of alleged bribery and fraudulent appointments that were allegedly orchestrated by Chatterjee and other officials. The CBI is investigating the illegal recruitment process for teaching and non-teaching staff, where thousands of appointments were made in violation of established procedures. In addition to the recruitment scam, Chatterjee’s name has come up in other cases of corruption. He is also implicated in an alleged irregularity related to the hiring of Paresh Adhikari’s daughter, a former minister, in a government job.

Chatterjee’s legal troubles are far from over, as he still faces charges in multiple cases related to corruption and irregularities in recruitment. The ED has also seized assets allegedly linked to Chatterjee’s illicit activities. The ongoing investigations are likely to continue, and his release on bail does not signify an end to the legal proceedings. Chatterjee’s political future remains uncertain, as the outcome of the investigations and trials will ultimately determine whether he can return to a prominent political role in the state.