After nearly three years in jail, former Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee is set to walk free as the court completes witness examination in the school jobs recruitment scam. The Supreme Court had earlier called his continued custody a “travesty of justice.”
Kolkata: The way has been cleared for the release of former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, who has been in jail since 2022, after a special court in Kolkata completed the examination of eight witnesses in the school job recruitment irregularities case.
The development took place on Monday, when Chatterjee’s lawyers appeared before the court and requested his release on bail following the completion of the process directed by the Supreme Court.
On August 18, the Supreme Court had granted bail to Partha Chatterjee in the case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
However, the apex court made it clear that he would be released
“only after the trial court records statements of material witnesses.”
With the statements of the eight witnesses now recorded, Chatterjee’s lawyers urged the court to issue an order for his release. His legal team told the court that once the bail bond order is passed, the former minister will finally walk out of jail.
According to his lawyer,
“after the court passes the bail bond order, he will be released.”
The release order is expected soon after the bail bond is executed as directed by the trial court. Chatterjee is currently admitted to a hospital, and his release may take place once the formalities are completed.
The CBI’s case against Partha Chatterjee and several senior officials relates to alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers for classes 9 to 12, as well as the appointment of Group C employees in government-run and government-aided schools in West Bengal.
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While granting him bail earlier, the Supreme Court observed that keeping Chatterjee in custody any longer would be unjust, saying his continued incarceration would be a “travesty of justice.”
The apex court also directed that charges should be framed within four weeks under the Prevention of Corruption Act against public servants, and that the statements should be recorded within two months.
Apart from Chatterjee, the other accused in the case include former West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) chairman Subires Bhattacharya and former SSC advisory committee chairman S.P. Sinha.
Partha Chatterjee was first arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in July 2022 in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the same recruitment scam. Later, in October 2024, he was also arrested by the CBI in a related corruption case.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court to CBI After Hearing New Petition: “Explain Partha Chatterjee’s Detention”
He has already been granted bail in the other cases filed against him by the central agencies.
The Supreme Court’s recent decision and the completion of witness examination have now paved the way for his long-awaited release after more than three years in custody.
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