Former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee
The Supreme Court has granted significant relief to former education minister Partha Chatterjee in a money laundering case related to the West Bengal ‘school job cash scam’. The court has directed that the hearing against Partha Chatterjee be expedited. Further, the court directed that he be released on bail on or before February 1, 2025. Further, the court in its order said that the lower court should take a decision on the frame-up charges against Partha Chatterjee by December 31.
Justice Surya Kant said that we have discussed the general principles of bail jurisprudence. The statement under Section 50 of the PMLA proves that the issue has not been resolved. We have accepted that prisoners under interrogation must not be held in prison.
What did the court say?
“We direct the trial court to file charges before the start of the winter break or December 30, whichever comes first, to review the statements of all vulnerable witnesses and to fully cooperate with the appellant and counsel,” the court said.
The court also said the appellant could challenge the charges. However, witnesses must be examined. The petitioner will be released on February 1, 2025. If charges are brought and witnesses are questioned first, Chatterjee will be released immediately and will not be appointed to any public office other than as a member of the Legislative Assembly. The court held a hearing on the case on December 4 and reserved its judgment. Previously on April 30, Partha Chatterjee’s bail request was rejected by the Calcutta High Court.
What did the court say at the last hearing?
Previously, at a hearing on December 4, the court reserved the bail decision. During the hearing, the court told Chatterjee’s lawyer Rohatgi that prima facie your client is a corrupt person. What message do you want to convey to the society that corrupt people can get bail easily while your premises are being clawed back in crores of rupees? The court further said that today we will see whether bail is likely to affect the investigation.
TMC sacked him
Chatterjee was arrested for defrauding cash from school work. After Chatterjee’s arrest, the Mamata Banerjee government sacked him as a minister, while the TMC sacked him from all party positions, including that of general secretary.
