Calcutta High Court grants bail to Partha Chatterjee in the multi-crore recruitment scam after over a year in custody. | The Legal Observer
The former education minister’s prolonged custody and lack of recent interrogation influenced the court’s decision.
In a significant development in West Bengal’s high-profile recruitment scam case, the Calcutta High Court has granted bail to former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee. The decision comes more than a year after his arrest, marking a crucial turning point in the politically sensitive investigation.
The order, passed by Justice Suvra Ghosh, highlighted the prolonged incarceration of the former minister. “The petitioner is in custody for more than a year. He has been granted bail in the ED case. He has not been interrogated by the investigating agency after 15th October, 2024. He is similarly circumstanced with co-accused,” the court observed during the hearing.
Chatterjee had previously secured bail in a parallel Enforcement Directorate (ED) case related to the same scam. The court found merit in the argument that he should not be treated differently from other co-accused who are already out on bail.
The alleged multi-crore recruitment scam relates to the irregular appointment of teachers and non-teaching staff in government-aided schools across West Bengal during Chatterjee’s tenure. The case, investigated by multiple agencies including the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has seen several high-profile arrests and dramatic courtroom proceedings.
Critics argue that the prolonged detention without continued interrogation reflects a troubling trend in high-stakes political cases, raising questions about due process and the presumption of innocence. However, investigators maintain that the magnitude of financial irregularities warrants thorough scrutiny.
The bail order may now influence similar petitions filed by others accused in the scam. Legal analysts suggest that courts are increasingly scrutinising custodial practices, especially where active interrogation has ceased.
This case has been under constant media and legal scrutiny, with regular updates covered in our News Section. For a deeper understanding of its broader implications on legal norms and public accountability, visit our Insight Section.
A video explainer on the scam’s background is also available on The Legal Observer YouTube Channel.
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