The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted bail to former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee in connection with the controversial primary teachers’ recruitment scam. Justice Suvra Ghosh delivered the order, observing that further incarceration of the septuagenarian leader would not serve the ends of justice, especially when several co-accused are already out on bail.
Background
Partha Chatterjee, a long-time legislator and minister in the Mamata Banerjee government until 2022, was arrested by the CBI in October 2024 following supplementary charge sheets that named him as an accused. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also arrested him in July 2022 in a linked money laundering probe, but the Supreme Court had granted him bail in December 2024 considering his prolonged detention.
The case stems from a 2022 FIR against the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, where hundreds of ineligible candidates allegedly secured appointments as teachers through manipulation of recruitment lists. Investigators allege that Chatterjee, in conspiracy with then Board President Manik Bhattacharya, oversaw the illegal appointments of 310 candidates without proper interviews or tests.
Court’s Observations
During hearings, Chatterjee’s counsel argued that all evidence in the case is documentary and already seized, leaving no scope for tampering. They highlighted that he had been interrogated only once and that he was cooperating fully with the proceedings. The defense also pointed out his age, health conditions, and strong community ties.
The CBI, on the other hand, strongly opposed bail. Its counsel maintained that the former minister’s influence could intimidate witnesses, stressing that statements and digital records directly implicated him. They warned of the “seriousness of the scam,” which allegedly deprived deserving candidates of government jobs.
Justice Suvra Ghosh, while acknowledging the gravity of the allegations, stressed that “incarceration of an under-trial should not amount to punitive detention.” The judge noted that other accused, including Manik Bhattacharya, are already on bail, and that Chatterjee no longer holds a ministerial position, limiting the possibility of misuse of office.
“The material unearthed during investigation demonstrates that the entire exercise was conducted at the behest of the petitioner and the then Board President,” the bench observed. However, the Court added that continued custody is not necessary at this stage since the case is based on documents already in the agency’s possession.
Decision
The Court allowed the bail plea with strict conditions, including a bond of ₹10 lakh, surrendering of passport, weekly meetings with the investigating officer, and a bar on holding any public office other than his role as MLA during the trial. The order also clarified that any violation of these conditions could lead to immediate cancellation of bail.
Concluding the matter, Justice Ghosh underscored that the observations made were only for the purpose of deciding the bail plea and should not be construed as findings on the merits of the case.
Case Title: Partha Chatterjee vs. Central Bureau of Investigation
CRM (M) 427 of 2025
Judgment Date: 26 September 2025