Former TMC Minister Partha Chatterjee Finally Released After Prolonged Detention
In a significant development, former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee was ordered to be released from jail on Monday after spending three years and three months in detention in connection with the high-profile school recruitment scam case. The special CBI court issued the release order following the completion of testimony from the eighth and final witness, fulfilling the conditions set by the Supreme Court for his bail.
Court Order Paves Way for Release
The CBI court directed the release of Chatterjee along with two other accused - former West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) chairperson Subiresh Bhattacharya and former WBSSC adviser Santi Prasad Sinha. The court order specifically referenced the Supreme Court's conditions, stating that the examination of all shortlisted witnesses had been completed in totality.
According to the court proceedings, Chatterjee's lawyer had already deposited the Rs 90,000 bail bond as directed by the Calcutta High Court in its September 15, 2025 order. The former minister, who is currently admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata, is expected to be formally released by Tuesday morning following the necessary paperwork.
Long Legal Battle Ends
Chatterjee's journey to freedom has been marked by multiple legal hurdles. Although he had secured bail from both the Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court earlier, he remained in jail due to the Supreme Court's requirement that charges be framed and witness statements recorded in his pending cases.
His counsel, Biplab Goswami, expressed relief at the development, stating: "It has been a long fight. Whenever he got bail from the courts, he was named in another case by the CBI and ED. The testimony of all eight witnesses was completed today, and finally, the court issued the release order."
Conditions Imposed on Release
The Calcutta High Court's bail conditions from September 15 this year imposed several restrictions on Chatterjee, including:
- Prohibition from working as an MLA
- Surrender of his passport
- Submission of mobile number without changing it
- Cooperation with investigating agencies
- Refraining from influencing or speaking to witnesses
The Supreme Court had earlier in December 2024 granted him bail, observing his detention for three years without trial. The bench had directed that Chatterjee should not be appointed to any public office after release but could remain as an MLA during the trial's pendency.
Background of the School Recruitment Scam
The school jobs scam first came to light when unsuccessful candidates in the Teachers' Eligibility Test moved the Calcutta High Court, which ordered a CBI probe on June 8, 2022. The CBI filed an FIR the next day, followed by the Enforcement Directorate registering a money-laundering case on June 24, 2022.
Chatterjee, the TMC MLA from Behara West, was arrested in July 2022 for allegedly facilitating illegal appointments of unqualified candidates as primary school teachers, assistant teachers, and staff. Following his arrest, the ruling TMC in the state suspended him from the party.
