Half Kilo Gold Bangle, Gold Pen, 31 Insurance Policies: Court Denies Bail To Former Minister Partha Chatterjee & Actress Arpita Mukherjee

The CBI Court, Calcutta has rejected the bail plea of former West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee and his close aid and actress Arpita Mukherjee while observing that the allegations against both were of serious nature.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had informed the Special Court about recovery of cash in multiple crores, gold, insurance policies etc. from accused Partha Chatterjee and Arpita Mukherjee who have been accused in money laundering case.

Public Prosecutor appearing for ED pointed out the following recoveries made from the accused persons-

• Cash amount to the tune of Rs. 21.9 Crores recovered from the premises of Arpita Mukherjee.

• On further searches cash amount of Rs. 27.9 crores were recovered from the premises owned by Arpita Mukherjee

• Gold worth Rs. 4.3 crores in the form of bullion, heavy Kangana weighing 500 gms. each, gold pen, some jewellery.

• Documents relating to immoveable properties in the name of Arpita Mukherjee

• Documents revealing 31 insurance policies in the name of Arpita Mukherjee in which the nominee is Partha Mukherjee.

"Investigation process has just initiated and is in process and progress. Allegation as labelled against the accused persons is grave in nature. Considering the fact, nature and gravity of offence and the initial stage of investigation the prayer for bail of the accused petitioners is rejected.", the Court noted.

The Court also allowed ED's plea to interrogate both Partha Chatterjee and Arpita Mukherjee in judicial custody and to record their statement.

Notably, the Court had earlier also rejected the bail plea of accused Partha Chatterjee. The Court noted that there was no change in circumstance from then to enlarge him on bail.

Counsel for Partha Chatterjee had stated that the accused was an aged person and no recovery was made from his possession. It was further submitted that the allegations labelled against them and the documents seized during investigation were ingenuine.

Counsel for ED raised strong objection for enlarging the accused on bail considering that the accused Partha Chatterjee was an influential person and that he may tamper with the evidence.

It was submitted by the counsel for ED that both the accused had generated huge proceeds of crime by indulging in criminal conspiracy and illegally giving jobs for the post of assistant teachers and primary teachers.

Partha Chatterjee was removed as the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Information Technology and Electronics and was suspended from the All India Trinamool Congress last month.

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