SSC Scam: Court allows CBI to collect voice sample of 'Kalighat Kaku'

A special court has authorized the CBI to collect a voice sample from Sujoykrishna Bhattacharya, popularly known as 'Kalighat-er Kaku,' in connection with the teacher recruitment scam case. The CBI has been given permission to present Bhattacharya in court on January 21 for the collection of the sample, provided he consents. The judge emphasized that the CBI may proceed only if Bhattacharya agrees, and without his consent, the sample will not be collected. This decision comes as part of the ongoing investigation into the recruitment irregularities involving high-profile individuals.

Bhattacharya, previously acquitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a separate case, was arrested by the CBI in connection with the teacher recruitment scam. He has been hospitalized due to health concerns, and the court has requested his regular medical reports. Bhattacharya was not physically present for the framing of charges on Monday, as he appeared virtually in court due to his condition. Charges have been framed against him along with other accused individuals, including Kuntal Ghosh, Arpita Mukherjee, and several members of Manik Bhattacharya’s family. The charges involve multiple counts of illegal practices related to teacher recruitment.

In a separate court order, Kalyanmay Bhattacharya, the son-in-law of former education minister Partha Chatterjee, was granted permission to travel abroad. Despite being implicated in the recruitment scam, Kalyanmay had sought approval for foreign travel. The court granted the request, stating that he could travel when necessary, with no restrictions placed on his future movements. The court's decision was based on the fact that charges had already been framed against Kalyanmay.

The investigation into the teacher recruitment scam continues to expand, with 26 organizations allegedly involved in the illegal practices. The CBI is examining the role of these entities in the scam, which has affected numerous appointments within the state education system. Bhattacharya’s case, in particular, remains central to the probe, as he is one of the key figures in the ongoing investigation. The court's decisions and the CBI's progress signal that the case will continue to unfold with further legal and investigative actions.