Supreme Court Seeks ED's Response on Partha Chatterjee's Bail Plea

The Supreme Court has asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee's bail plea. Chatterjee is accused of recruitment irregularities in primary schools. The Calcutta High Court earlier denied him bail, citing a prima facie case under the PMLA.

The Supreme Court has requested a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a bail plea from former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee. He has been detained due to alleged irregularities in recruiting teaching staff in the state's primary schools.

Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan have issued a directive for the ED to reply by October 17. Concurrently, the Special CBI Court, designated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, is instructed to prioritize the bail hearing and report back within ten days.

Chatterjee had previously appealed an April 30 decision by the Calcutta High Court, which denied his bail by citing evidence against him under the PMLA. Despite claims of concluded investigations and his advanced age, the ED argues his influence as an MLA could compromise witness integrity. Arrested on July 22, 2022, Chatterjee was subsequently removed from ministerial duties and party positions by the Trinamool Congress.

(With inputs from agencies.)