Today(on 11th March),Calcutta High Court emphasizes the imperative of swift punishment for corruption in a recruitment case, directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to expedite the trial. Bail pleas for the accused, Kuntal Ghosh and Niladri Saha, are denied, with a stipulated three-week deadline for the CBI to submit a comprehensive investigation report.
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KOLKATA: Today(on 11th March), Justice Jaimalya Bagchi of the Calcutta High Court underscored the critical need for rapid legal action against corrupt practices to maintain the credibility and effectiveness of the judicial system. During the proceedings, Justice Bagchi made a poignant statement, emphasizing that
“Those who are corrupt need to be punished quickly. Otherwise, the judicial system will become meaningless.”
The court session, which also involved Justice Ajay Kumar Gupta, addressed the bail pleas of Kuntal Ghosh and Niladri Saha, both implicated in the notorious recruitment scandal. Despite their appeals for release, the court withheld their bail, pending further investigation. The judges have mandated that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) provide a comprehensive report within three weeks, highlighting the urgency and seriousness with which the court views the matter.
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Expressing dissatisfaction with the delayed commencement of the trial, Justice Bagchi pointed out the detrimental effects of such postponements, stating:
“If the accused are not sentenced after starting the trial, the whole matter will become ridiculous.”
He further elaborated on the potential consequences of inaction, suggesting that failing to address corruption promptly could lead to a societal desensitization to such crimes, thereby undermining the efforts of law enforcement agencies.
The CBI, having already filed a chargesheet, faces pressure to expedite their investigations as additional inquiries remain. The court’s impatience was palpable when Justice Bagchi questioned the agency’s delay, drawing comparisons to countries like Japan and Singapore where corruption is swiftly and effectively penalized. He challenged the CBI, asking:
“Why are you not starting the trial quickly? A corruption will be condoned if the sentence is not pronounced.”
The defense for the accused presented their arguments during the hearing. Kuntal Ghosh’s lawyer defended his client against allegations of job-selling, stating:
“There is an allegation against my client of giving jobs for money. There have been allegations of taking 4 crore rupees in exchange for the employment of six people. But no money was recovered from him.”
Meanwhile, Niladri Saha‘s legal representation countered claims of financial impropriety by asserting:
“My client was accused of taking two lakh rupees. That money has already been returned.”
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