The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal government to take a decision within 2 weeks on granting sanction to prosecute the co-accused in a high-profile corruption case involving former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee.
The case concerns alleged irregularities in recruitment for school jobs under the West Bengal Board of Primary Education.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh issued the directive while deferring Chatterjee’s bail application until July 17. The bail plea will now be heard along with those of other accused in the case.
Trial Stalled Due To Pending Sanctions
Partha Chatterjee’s counsel told the court that while sanction to prosecute him had already been granted, proceedings were stalled because similar sanction for the co-accused was still pending. “Trial is not happening. It can’t be separated also from co-accused. Sanction qua me was granted. Sanction qua co-accused is not coming,” the counsel submitted.
To ensure the trial proceeds without further delay, the court instructed the state to expedite its decision on the pending sanctions. “Meanwhile, in order to facilitate trial, the State of West Bengal is directed to take a decision regarding granting sanction in the cases of the petitioner’s co-accused within two weeks,” the bench ordered, clarifying that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits.
Bail Plea Clubbed With Co-accused
Appearing for the CBI, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju informed the bench that the bail petitions of other accused were already listed for hearing in July and recommended that Chatterjee’s application be heard alongside them.
When Chatterjee’s legal team cited his deteriorating health, the ASG dismissed it as an excuse, claiming the former minister was “faking his condition” and was “neck-deep in corruption.”
Split Verdict On Bail Raises Concerns
The bench expressed concern over the Calcutta High Court’s earlier split decision on Chatterjee’s bail. “We have reached a stage where in bail matters there are dissenting opinions. Mr. Raju, what is happening? In bail matters, HCs are having divergent views?!” remarked Justice Kant, hinting at the growing inconsistency in judicial views on such matters.
Background
The scandal traces back to 2022, when investigators unearthed a large-scale scam involving appointments of assistant teachers in government-run schools. Along with Chatterjee, several senior officials were arrested, including:
- Dr. Subires Bhattacharyya – then Chairman, WB Central School Service Commission
- Ashok Kumar Saha – Secretary, WBCSSC
- Dr. Kalyanmoy Ganguly – President, WB Board of Secondary Education
- Dr. Santi Prasad Sinha – Secretary, WBBSE
All face charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for allegedly abusing their official positions to accept bribes in exchange for school job placements.
Earlier Bail Proceedings
In December 2024, the Supreme Court granted Chatterjee bail in a separate money laundering case, effective from February 1, 2025. However, he remains in custody under the CBI’s corruption case. A division bench of the Calcutta High Court had earlier issued a split verdict on the bail applications, with one judge granting bail and the other denying it. A single-judge bench later denied bail to Chatterjee and four other key officials.
As the July hearing approaches, the apex court’s recent order places pressure on the West Bengal government to act swiftly on pending sanctions and clear the way for trial proceedings to resume.
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