Supreme Court Grants Conditional Bail to Ex-TMC Minister Partha Chatterjee in WB SSC Scam
The Supreme Court of India has granted conditional bail to former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Partha Chatterjee in connection with a money laundering case tied to the 2014-15 SSC cash-for-jobs scam. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, ruled that Chatterjee will be released on February 1, 2025, provided the trial court frames charges by the winter vacation and examines vulnerable witnesses by mid-January. Upon release, he is barred from holding public office but can continue as the MLA for Behala West. The court emphasized balancing the rights of the accused and victims, stating, “A suspect cannot be detained indefinitely.”
The scam, involving irregular recruitment through the School Service Commission, led to the Calcutta High Court annulling 24,000 appointments. The Enforcement Directorate recovered ₹49.8 crore in cash, gold bars, and jewellery from Chatterjee’s aide, Arpita Mukherjee, highlighting the scale of corruption. The Supreme Court, which reserved its verdict on December 4, had earlier noted the gravity of the charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), remarking on the substantial evidence against Chatterjee.
Chatterjee, arrested in July 2022, still faces pending charges in a separate CBI case for irregularities in government school recruitments. The Supreme Court directed the ED to complete evidence recording by mid-January and finalize charge framing by December 31. His release is contingent on these processes, ensuring accountability while respecting procedural fairness.
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