Monday, 18th August: After almost three long years of imprisonment, former Bengal Education minister Partha Chatterjee was granted bail by the Supreme Court for the CBI's alleged ‘Cash-for-job’ case on Monday, after recording the statement of material evidence by the bench of Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh.
The bench questioned the prosecution, “How long should he be inside”, calling the prolonged pre-trial detention a "travesty of justice". In contrast, the matter was considered a Prima Facie when the primary evidence was initially presented in the court.
What is Prima facie?
A Latin term that interprets to 'based on first impression' or 'based on the initial evidence presented' - the allegation's validity is believable to be true.
Former Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee was apprehended by the CBI in July 2022 in connection with the Central School Service Commission (SSC) scandal. It came into light following the honorable high court's order after a detailed complaint against the rigged recruitment process in June, involving the CBI to start an investigation into the matter. ED found key evidence, including major movable and immovable assets, pointing towards the education minister of that time, Partha Chatterjee.
During the investigation, authorities recovered cash and gold worth ₹21.9 crores and significant evidential documents regarding the illegal appointment of teaching staff in return for bribes. Following the arrest, Partha Chatterjee was sacked from the cabinet. During his incarceration, CBI brought more charges against Partha upon findings regarding irregularities in primary teacher recruitment during his period of heading the state’s education department.
Let’s look into what are all the ongoing investigations and charges against Partha Chatterjee-
West Bengal School Pay for placement:
CBI brought charges against Partha Chatterjee, accusing him of masterminding the rigged selection and recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in government and non-government schools through the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) and the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). The bribes ranged from 5 lakhs to 15 lakhs for each candidate, estimating the entire process to make Partha over 100 crores of illegal payments. Based on the findings, the CBI, leading prosecution, brought charges of conspiracy, corruption, criminal misconduct, and abuse of official power in recruitment against him.
Money Laundering:
During the investigation, ED discovered a network of 201 shell companies that had been used to launder the money, achieved through bribes that were channelled through countless bank accounts and fake companies that were allegedly being shown to be directed by poor people to baffle the authorities. A great deal of insurance, land, and flats worth 100 crores were unearthed in the ED investigation, holding him accountable for charges of money laundering, acquisition of illicit assets, and floating fake companies under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
A 14,000-page charge-sheet was filed by ED, including details regarding the seizure of assets and property that’s worth almost 103 crores.
Primary Teaching staff recruitment irregularities:
Partha is also accused by the ED of accepting bribes, exerting influence in the appointment of primary teaching staff under the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, bringing charges of corruption and criminal conspiracy against him.
The Governor granted sanction for prosecution, for which the investigations and legal proceedings are still ongoing.
Scam using fake phone, SIM card & number:
The ED also accused Partha of using phone numbers registered under random people for the collection of illicit funds and keeping the operations of the recruitment scam behind the back of the authorities and obscuring the tracks.
During the framing of charges in court, ED brought charges of criminal conspiracy and communication fraud for illegal activities in this matter.
Criminal conspiracy, corrupt practices:
During framing, there were almost 54 total charges brought against that time Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee in the court. Many of those falling under the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act for corruption, criminal conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust, and abusing the entrusted official position in granting unfair benefits in recruitment, were brought against him by the Trial Court under the direction of the Supreme Court within a set time.
Even though Partha Chatterjee has been granted bail on multiple charges that are brought against him, he is not free from custody, as many are waiting for trial in court, and more charges are being filed against him based on the ongoing investigations.