Kolkata HC grants relief to Kalighat’s kaku in recruitment corruption case, CBI under fire

The Kolkata High Court has granted temporary relief to Sujoy Krishna Prasad, known as Kalighat’s Kaku, in the primary recruitment corruption case. Prasad, who filed for anticipatory bail, was given protection from any immediate action. The bench, consisting of Justice Jaymala Bagchi and Justice Gourang Kanta, postponed the hearing for three weeks. The court orally stated that no steps would be taken against Prasad until the next hearing.

Prasad was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 30, 2023, as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment process for various government positions. After his arrest, he was hospitalized at SSKM Hospital due to health concerns. He is currently in judicial custody. The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which sought Prasad’s custody to further investigate his role in the alleged corruption.

During the court proceedings, the CBI’s actions came under scrutiny. The agency had requested a production warrant for Prasad, and after receiving it, issued a "shown arrest." The court raised concerns over this procedural step, with Justice Bagchi questioning the methods used by the CBI in handling the arrest. The bench specifically asked whether the CBI’s investigating officer (IO) was following the correct procedures in the case.

The court further instructed the CBI’s investigating officer, Wasim Akram Khan, to submit a detailed affidavit within two weeks. The affidavit must explain the reasons for the actions taken by the CBI, including the “shown arrest.” The High Court also emphasized the need for proper documentation and adherence to legal procedures in the investigation.

The investigation into the recruitment corruption case involves multiple individuals and is part of a broader probe into irregularities in government recruitment. The CBI is continuing its investigation to determine the full extent of the alleged corruption. The case remains under active review, with further developments expected as the investigation progresses.