ED Files 5th Supplementary Prosecution Complaint in Illegal Primary Teacher Appointment Scam
(Judicial Quest News Network)
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Kolkata Zonal Office, has filed a 5th Supplementary Prosecution Complaint (PC) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Kolkata, on 30th November 2024. This action targets 29 accused persons/entities involved in the illegal appointment of Primary Teachers in West Bengal.
Earlier, ED had filed one Prosecution Complaint and four Supplementary Prosecution Complaints against 25 individuals and entities, including Partha Chatterjee, the former Education Minister of West Bengal, and Manik Bhattacharya, the former President of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education. The Hon’ble Court had already taken cognizance of these complaints.
The investigation was initiated based on an FIR registered by the CBI, which alleged criminal conspiracy, illegal appointment of undeserving candidates, and the violation of relevant rules in the selection process. ED has arrested several individuals, including Chatterjee and his associate Arpita Mukherjee. During the investigation, ED seized a total of Rs. 49.80 crore in cash and Rs. 5.08 crore worth of gold and jewellery from the residences of Chatterjee’s associates.
To date, six Provisional Attachment Orders totaling approximately Rs. 95 crore and eleven Orders of Attachment (OAs) have been issued. The total value of assets seized and attached in the case has now reached Rs. 151.26 crore. Further investigation is ongoing.
