New Delhi. Former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee has been granted bail by the Supreme Court in a money laundering case related to the Cash for School Jobs scam. With this decision the way has been cleared for his coming out of jail. The Supreme Court has directed the trial court to decide on the issue of framing of charges before the start of winter vacation or by December 31, 2024. The case relates to alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in primary schools run and aided by the Government of West Bengal.
Partha Chatterjee remained in jail for more than two years
Former minister Partha Chatterjee’s lawyer Mukul Rohatgi had argued in the last hearing that his client has been in jail for two years and two months and now he should get bail. The court accepted his arguments and granted bail.
Supreme Court order
The Supreme Court said in its decision that Partha Chatterjee will be released on 1 February 2025. However, if framing of charges and examination of witnesses is completed first, they can be released immediately. The court also made it clear that after release, Chatterjee will not be appointed to any public post, but he can continue to be a member of the Legislative Assembly. This instruction will be applicable only for the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Supreme Court directed to grant conditional bail to Partha Chatterjee in the ED case till 1 February 2025.
The Supreme Court directs Parth Chatterjee to be given conditional bail in the ED case till February 1, 2025.#trending #westbengal #tmc #ed #parthochaterjee #supremecourt pic.twitter.com/nzxli56ugv
— Sudarshan Bangla (@SudarshanBangla) December 13, 2024
Procedure for examining witnesses and framing charges
The Supreme Court has also asked the trial court to expeditiously complete the process of examining witnesses and framing charges. The court directed to ensure that the petitioner can exercise his right to challenge the decision framing charges (if adverse).
TMC had removed Chatterjee from posts
Partha Chatterjee was arrested by the ED in July 2022 in an alleged recruitment scam. After his arrest, the Mamata Banerjee government removed him from the ministerial post and the TMC relieved him of all party posts, including that of general secretary. ED has filed a charge sheet in this case, but charges have not been framed yet.
Chatterjee will stay away from public office in future
The Supreme Court made it clear that Partha Chatterjee should not be appointed to any public post. However, he will continue to be a member of the Assembly. The court also directed that they should cooperate fully in the trial court proceedings. Partha Chatterjee is accused of committing irregularities in the recruitment of teachers and non-teachers in primary schools run by the West Bengal government. A large amount of cash and property was recovered in this case, which the ED linked to money laundering.
