Bengal school jobs scam: Partha Chatterjee 'airlifted' to AIIMS Bhubaneswar
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday reportedly shifted West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. He was taken there from Kolkata's state-run SSKM Hospital via an air ambulance, accompanied by a doctor and an advocate. The ED arrested Chatterjee on Saturday in the School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam. The Calcutta High Court—in a rare Sunday hearing—ordered he be shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Why does this story matter?
Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and West Bengal Commerce and Industries Minister, Chatterjee's arrest comes as the latest in a string of opposition leaders being prowled by the ED. The TMC denounced his arrest as a "ploy" to "harass" political opponents. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, said that the TMC had "supported large-scale abnormalities" in the appointment of teachers at all school levels.
Chatterjee shifted from WB hospital after court order
ED officials reportedly flew Chatterjee from Kolkata to Bhubaneswar at around 8:40 am. After being sent to two days in custody on Saturday, Chatterjee complained of "uneasiness," and a local court ordered he be admitted to SSKM Hospital. However, the ED approached the Calcutta High Court, which, on Sunday, ordered the switch of hospitals due to concerns over SSKM Hospital sheltering the accused.
Watch: Chatterjee leaves SSKM Hospital in a wheelchair
What did Calcutta HC say?
Justice Bibek Chaudhuri of the Calcutta HC reportedly noted that in the past, high-ranking leaders of the ruling party were arrested or directed to appear for interrogation, and they successfully avoided the same by taking shelter in the SSKM Hospital. "They avoided even appearing before the court on the strength of the medical report issued by the said hospital authority," he stated further.
Bench expresses concern over 'corrupt practices' in hospital
Justice Chaudhuri also noted the accused is the senior-most Cabinet minister with "immense power and position." He added it "would not be impossible" for Chatterjee—with the aid of other political executives—to take shelter at the hospital under the garb of serious illness and avoid interrogation.
TMC demands time-bound probe
While party supremo and CM Mamata Banerjee has chosen to remain silent on the matter, the TMC on Sunday demanded a time-bound probe into Chatterjee's arrest. The delays in the investigation aren't acceptable as the opposition BJP would use it to cast doubts on TMC, a spokesperson said. The TMC said it will take action against Chatterjee if the ED produces proof of allegations.
Chatterjee arrested in SSC jobs scam case
To recall, Chatterjee was arrested on Saturday after 27 hours of questioning as part of a probe into the multi-crore teacher recruitment scam. Jobs were offered in lieu of money, and the scam reportedly took place during Chatterjee's tenure as the Education Minister. The ED also seized Rs. 21cr from the residence of one Arpita Mukherjee, believed to be a close aide of Chatterjee.
