Calcutta High Court seeks Enforcement Directorate report for the bail hearing of Partha Chatterjee, expressing concerns over his extended detention in a teacher recruitment corruption case.
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KOLKATA: On Wednesday, the Calcutta High Court has taken a significant step in the bail case of former education minister Partha Chatterjee, calling for a report from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the ongoing teacher recruitment corruption investigation. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh presided over the hearing and ordered the submission of the report, emphasizing the need to determine the duration of the investigation. The next hearing is scheduled for February 27.
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Justice Ghosh expressed concern over the prolonged detention, stating-
“No one can be kept in custody indefinitely. He is in jail for 1 year and 7 months. Investigation is going on based on serious allegations, that is fine. But for how long?”
This query underscores the court’s scrutiny of the case’s timeline and the necessity for transparency in the investigative process.
The judge directed the special officer of the ED to include information in the report about when the trial phase could commence in the lower court. The significance of setting a timeline for the trial process was emphasized, bringing clarity to the legal proceedings. The next hearing, on February 27, is expected to shed light on these critical aspects of the case.
Partha Chatterjee, the former education minister, was arrested on July 22, 2022, following an extensive search at his residence. The charges allege his involvement in corruption related to teacher recruitment during his tenure as the Education Minister. Partha filed a bail application in the Calcutta High Court 13 months after his arrest, met with strong opposition from the ED since the beginning.
Highlighting the contentious nature of the bail case, officials from the Central Investigation Agency approached the Palta High Court. The bail case hearings, under the purview of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, commenced on September 6 of the previous year. However, due to the ED’s requests, the hearings were adjourned on multiple occasions, contributing to the delay in the legal proceedings.
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During the recent hearing, Justice Ghosh reiterated the concerns over prolonged detention, prompting the call for the ED report.
“Nobody can be kept in custody indefinitely. Partha Chatterjee is in jail for one year and seven months. Investigation is going on based on serious allegations. But how long will this investigation last?”
The judge’s inquiry emphasized the need for expediency in the legal process, aligning with the principles of justice.
Partha Chatterjee, currently incarcerated in Presidency Jail, faces charges filed by both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Despite multiple bail applications in the lower court, none have been granted. Partha continues to assert his innocence, claiming no evidence ties him to corruption. This plea for justice was reiterated during the High Court hearing, prompting the court to seek the ED report for further evaluation.
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The upcoming hearing on February 27 is poised to be a crucial juncture in Partha Chatterjee’s bail case, where the court will assess the ED report and determine the path forward in this teacher recruitment corruption case.