West Bengal Teachers' Recruitment Scam: High Court Directs CBI And ED To Identify Teachers Who Got Job By Bribing

The High Court of Calcutta has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to further investigate the Primary Teachers Recruitment Scam and identify the beneficiaries of the scam, particularly the teachers appointed in lieu of cash paid through agents or otherwise.

Justice Amrita Sinha held, “The Investigating Officers are directed to investigate from all corners and place on record the details of the beneficiaries of the scam particularly the teachers who actually got the service in lieu of cash paid through the agents or otherwise. The investigating authorities shall enquire and identify the teachers who were appointed in the said recruitment process…The investigating authorities shall enquire and identify the teachers who were appointed in the said recruitment process”.

Senior Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya appeared for the Petitioner, Deputy Solicitor General of India Billwadal Bhattacharyya appeared for the CBI and Advocate Sirsanya Bandopadhyay appeared for the West Bengal Board of Primary Education. Deputy Solicitor General of India Dhiraj Kumar Trivedi appeared for the ED and Advocate Santanu Kumar Mitra appeared for Respondent no. 9.

The CBI filed a report stating that they were continuing their investigation into the Scam. The report also stated that the complaint filed by accused Kuntal Ghosh, alleging that he was tortured by CBI officials and ED, was false and without merit. In this context, the Court further observed, “The report mentions that the authority is continuing with the investigation. It has been mentioned that on investigation of the complaint submitted by the accused Kuntal Ghosh it has been conclusively established that the complaint lodged by him alleging torture at the hands of CBI officials and ED are false and without any substance”.

The ED, on the other hand, filed a report stating that they had identified proceeds of crime amounting to INR 15 crores in the form of movable properties, such as bank accounts, shares, vehicles, etc. They also identified 43 movable properties in the name of Sri Kuntal Ghosh, Ayan Sil, and Santanu Bandopadhyay, their family members, and their companies/firms.

The Court noted that the investigation reveals that the proceeds of crime to the tune of more than Rs. 350 crores have been generated by the accused through the scam and the same has been utilized for personal use. "The proceeds of crime have also been invested in the Bengali Film Industries", the Court noted.    

Additionally, the Court directed the agencies to file a further report before June 29 and to provide the details of the Investigating Officers who were investigating the municipality scam case. The Court noted, “Let a further report be placed before this Court on 29th August, 2023…On the adjourned date the learned advocates appearing for the CBI and the ED shall give the details of the Investigating Officers who are investigating the municipal scam case”.

Accordingly, the Court listed the matter for August 29.

Cause Title: Soumen Nandy v The State of West Bengal & Ors.

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