Shantanu Banerjee granted bail in TET corruption case, faces further CBI probe

Shantanu Banerjee, a former TMC youth leader from Hooghly, was granted bail by the Kolkata High Court in the ongoing primary teacher recruitment corruption case. The court approved his release on a ₹10 lakh personal bond, imposing strict conditions. These conditions include the surrender of his passport and a prohibition on changing his mobile phone number. The court's decision is significant in the broader investigation into the alleged manipulation of the 2014 Primary Teachers' TET examination.

Banerjee was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 11, 2023, in connection with an alleged scam involving the sale of government jobs in exchange for money. The case revolves around the manipulation of OMR sheets during the 2014 Primary Teachers' TET exam, with authorities accusing several individuals of exploiting the system for personal gain. The ED investigation led to the discovery of Banerjee's involvement, and he was arrested after the interrogation of Kuntal Ghosh, a close associate of Banerjee, whose testimony reportedly helped trace his connection to the scandal.

While Banerjee has been granted bail in the ED’s case, he still faces legal proceedings under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI has moved to present him before a special court in Kolkata, and sources suggest that the agency may request his further detention for additional questioning. The CBI is probing the broader network of corruption related to the recruitment process, which allegedly involved multiple individuals. Some of the key figures arrested in the case, including Kuntal Ghosh and Manik Bhattacharya, former president of the West Bengal Primary Education Board, have also been granted bail.

Banerjee’s political career has been marked by rapid rise through local TMC ranks. Starting from a mobile phone repair shop in Arambagh, he moved to work in the electricity department at Khanakul Rajhat. His political journey advanced when he joined the Trinamool Congress, eventually becoming the Hooghly district youth president. Authorities allege that Banerjee took control of illegal sand mining operations in the Arambagh area, accumulating significant wealth through these activities. His political influence and alleged involvement in illegal business practices are key areas of focus in the ongoing investigations surrounding the recruitment scam.