CBI targets Partha Chatterjee’s associates, Sujoy Bhadra next in line

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues its focused investigation into the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam, with a series of arrests involving individuals close to former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee. On Monday, Arpita Mukherjee, an associate of Chatterjee, was granted bail by the Kolkata High Court. Mukherjee had been arrested by the CBI in July 2022, with allegations that she was involved in the recruitment scam, particularly in the illegal hiring of teachers. Her bail came after a lengthy judicial process, but the CBI maintains that her role in the scam is still under investigation.

The same day Mukherjee was granted bail, Santanu Gangopadhyay, a businessman allegedly linked to Chatterjee, was arrested by the CBI. Gangopadhyay is said to have connections with the network that facilitated the unlawful recruitment process, and the CBI claims that his arrest is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the corruption ring. His detention follows a series of arrests by the CBI, who is looking into the broader scope of the recruitment scam that allegedly affected thousands of candidates.

In addition to Mukherjee and Gangopadhyay, the CBI is also targeting Sujoy Bhadra, another individual believed to be involved in the scam. Bhadra, who has been referred to as “Kalikhat’s Kaku,” is allegedly a significant figure in the scam's operations. The CBI filed for his production warrant, which has been approved, and he is expected to be brought to the court on Tuesday. His involvement in the recruitment irregularities is under active investigation, and the CBI is seeking to link him to the broader web of corruption.

Partha Chatterjee, a former senior leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), has been at the center of the investigation since his arrest in July 2022. Chatterjee is accused of being the primary orchestrator of the recruitment scam, in which individuals allegedly paid bribes to secure teaching positions. While his bail hearing is still pending, the CBI is working to establish the full extent of his involvement and the role his associates played in facilitating the illegal recruitment process. The investigation has also seen multiple charges filed against others involved, with some, like Shantanu Bandopadhyay, receiving bail.