Partha Chatterjee gets out of jail after 3.5 years in SSC scam case

Former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee finally steps out of jail today, Tuesday, after spending a grueling three and a half years in custody related to the SSC recruitment scam. He was reportedly in tears as he steps out of the prison. The former heavyweight leader fulfilled the final, stringent conditions set by the Supreme Court for his bail on Monday, paving the way for his release.

Although he was recently hospitalized, doctors gave the green signal following the receipt of the court’s release order, allowing him to leave the medical facility directly for his home. Supporters, holding banners and posters, gathered outside the hospital premises, eager to welcome him back.

Partha Chatterjee’s troubles began in 2022 when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in connection with the teacher recruitment scandal. A significant amount of cash was recovered from his properties and those of his close associate, Arpita Mukherjee. Mukherjee was arrested first by the ED, followed shortly by Chatterjee. Subsequently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which began its own probe into the recruitment corruption, formally arrested him (show-arrested him) while he was already in judicial custody, marking the start of his long confinement in Presidency Correctional Home.

The former minister repeatedly sought bail, citing health issues, but it was a long legal battle. He eventually secured bail in the ED's case from the Supreme Court and subsequently obtained bail in other related cases from lower courts. However, his freedom remained stalled due to the CBI's pending charges. His final hurdle was cleared in September when he finally secured bail in the core CBI recruitment case, but his release remained conditional.