After 3 years behind bars, ex-Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee gets bail

Kolkata: Former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee, one of the main accused in the multi-crore school jobs recruitment scam, was released on bail on Tuesday, three years and three months after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 23 July 2022.

Chatterjee, who had been under treatment at a private hospital in the Mukundapur area of south-east Kolkata for the past 203 days, was released from judicial custody after furnishing his bail bond.

His release came after the completion of the examination of witnesses in the connected cases being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) before a trial court on Monday.

He had earlier secured bail in the ED cases, and later the Supreme Court granted him bail in the CBI cases, with the condition that his release would be deferred until all witnesses in the investigation had been examined.

Following his release, a large crowd of supporters gathered outside the hospital, chanting “Partha da zindabad” as the former Trinamool Congress secretary general left for his residence in Naktala, south Kolkata.

Partha Chatterjee’s release marks a major development in the long-running investigation into the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam. The case involves alleged irregularities in the appointment of teachers and staff in state-run and aided schools during his tenure as education minister.

Chatterjee was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in July 2022 after cash worth over ₹50 crore was recovered from properties linked to Arpita Mukherjee, his close aide and co-accused in the case. The ED has alleged that the seized money was part of the illegal proceeds from the recruitment scam.

Since his arrest, Chatterjee had been in judicial custody but was later shifted to a private hospital citing health issues. The CBI and ED have filed multiple charge sheets against several accused, including government officials and politicians, in connection with the scam.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that Chatterjee could be granted bail only after the completion of witness examination in the ongoing CBI trial. With that process now completed, the court cleared the way for his release.

On Tuesday, amid tight security and a large crowd of supporters, Chatterjee walked out of the hospital after over three years in custody. He is expected to remain under close scrutiny as the trial proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption case that has shaken West Bengal’s political establishment.
(With PTI inputs)