The Calcutta High Court granted conditional bail to Kuntal Ghosh, a former TMC youth leader involved in the West Bengal recruitment scam, requiring a Rs 10 lakh bond. Bail conditions include surrendering his passport and mandatory court appearances. Ghosh is accused of taking money from aspiring teachers. Ongoing investigations will influence future proceedings and outcomes.
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to Kuntal Ghosh, a former Trinamool Congress (TMC) youth leader and a key accused in the West Bengal primary school recruitment scam. Ghosh, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 21, 2023, remains in jail as a separate case filed by the CBI is still pending adjudication.
Bail Terms and Conditions
Justice Suvra Ghosh, who presided over the bail hearing, directed that Ghosh be granted bail upon furnishing a bond of Rs 10 lakh. The court laid out the following strict conditions for his release:
- Surrender of Passport: Ghosh must hand over his passport to the trial court.
- Court Appearances: Mandatory attendance at all court hearings is required.
- No Evidence Tampering: The accused must not intimidate witnesses or tamper with evidence.
- Contact Information: Ghosh must provide his mobile phone number to the trial court and notify any changes to it in advance.
The court warned that any violation of these conditions would empower the trial court to revoke his bail.
Accusations and Allegations
Kuntal Ghosh is accused of extracting large sums of money from aspiring teachers who failed to qualify for the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) in exchange for jobs in government schools. Allegations include his active involvement in the illegal recruitment process for:
- Primary and upper primary teachers.
- Assistant teachers for classes 9 to 12.
- Group-D staff under the West Bengal government.
Another co-accused, Tapas Mondal, claimed during the investigation that he paid Ghosh nearly Rs 20 crore as proceeds of the crime. Ghosh is also alleged to have received scam money in his bank account even after his arrest, according to the ED.
Precedent of Co-Accused Bail
Ghosh cited the release of co-accused Manik Bhattacharya, a former TMC MLA, and Tapas Mondal to bolster his bail plea. Bhattacharya, who was the president of the state primary education board, was arrested in October 2022 and granted bail in September 2024. Similarly, Mondal, who spent nearly 600 days in custody, was released in October 2024.
Court’s Consideration
While opposing the bail plea, the ED highlighted the continued inflow of illicit money into Ghosh’s account. However, Justice Suvra Ghosh noted the following factors in favor of granting bail:
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- The prolonged detention of the accused since January 2023.
- Completion of the investigation while the trial is yet to commence.
This decision reflects the court’s consideration of the fundamental right to personal liberty alongside the need for strict adherence to legal procedures.
Implications of the Bail Order
The bail order underscores the judiciary’s balancing act between safeguarding individual rights and addressing allegations of systemic corruption. While the investigation into the recruitment scam has concluded, the pending CBI case and trial proceedings will determine the ultimate fate of Kuntal Ghosh and other accused in this high-profile case.
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