The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out fresh searches on Saturday in connection with the alleged teachers' recruitment scam in West Bengal. The action targeted former Education minister Partha Chatterjee and others linked to the case, officials said.
Raids at key locations in Kolkata
According to officials, the searches were conducted at two premises in Kolkata. These included Chatterjee's residence and the property of Prasanna Kumar Roy, who is currently in jail, reported The Times of India.
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The raids form part of an ongoing money laundering investigation related to alleged irregularities in teacher recruitment across the state.
ED action linked to non-appearance
Officials said the latest step followed Chatterjee's failure to appear before the agency for questioning on three occasions. The summons were issued in connection with alleged irregularities in the recruitment of assistant teachers for Classes IX to XII through the West Bengal Central School Service Commission.
Chatterjee, a suspended leader of the Trinamool Congress, had previously held key positions within the party and was considered an important strategist during its rise to power in 2011.
Ongoing probe and earlier arrest
The case is part of a wider investigation into recruitment-related irregularities. The ED has been examining multiple allegations, including those linked to primary teachers, SSC assistant teachers, and Group C and D staff appointments.
Chatterjee was arrested by the agency in July 2022 in connection with the primary teachers’ recruitment case. He was later granted conditional bail by the Supreme Court of India and released from jail.
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The federal agency continues to probe various aspects of the alleged scam, focusing on financial transactions and possible violations under anti-money laundering laws.
