New Delhi Supreme Court to Rule on Partha Chatterjee Bail Plea in Cash-for-School-Job Scam

New Delhi Supreme Court to Rule on Partha Chatterjee of India is set to deliver its judgment on Friday, December 13, regarding the bail plea filed by former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee. The plea pertains to the high-profile money laundering case linked to the alleged cash-for-school-job scam. A Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant will announce the decision, as per the causelist published on the Supreme Court’s official website.

New Delhi Supreme Court to Rule on Partha Chatterjee Background of the Case

The case, often referred to as the Bengal school jobs scam, involves allegations of jobs being offered to unqualified candidates in exchange for bribes. Partha Chatterjee, a senior Trinamool Congress leader and former minister, has been under judicial custody since his arrest in July 2022 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Key Developments

• Initial Arrest and Investigation:
• The ED seized large amounts of cash and gold from properties linked to Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of Chatterjee.
• Confiscations also included land plots and residential properties tied to Chatterjee and his associates.
• Calcutta High Court Proceedings:
• Partha Chatterjee’s bail plea was previously rejected by the Calcutta High Court.
• A recent split verdict saw Justice Arijit Bandopadhyay favoring bail, while Justice Apurba Sinha Roy opposed it.
• Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam directed the matter to a single-judge Bench for further review.

Arguments in the New Delhi Supreme Court to Rule on Partha Chatterjee

For the Defense

Senior advocate Mukul Rohtagi, representing Chatterjee, argued:

• Chatterjee has been in custody for over two years, with no significant progress in the trial.
• Other co-accused in the case have been granted bail.
• Continued detention violates Chatterjee’s fundamental rights.

For the Prosecution

The ED, represented by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, opposed the bail plea, citing:

• The potential for Chatterjee to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.
• The severity of corruption charges, with bribes exchanged for undeserved jobs.

Supreme Court Observations

During hearings, the Bench raised concerns over:

• The prolonged detention of Chatterjee.
• The slow pace of the trial process.
• The low conviction rate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Justice Surya Kant remarked, “How long can we keep him behind bars? If ultimately, he is not convicted, what will happen?” These comments hinted at potential relief for Chatterjee.

What’s at Stake?

The case has significant political and legal implications:

• Political Ramifications:
• The case has cast a shadow on the Trinamool Congress and its governance in West Bengal.
• The recovery of vast sums of cash and gold has fueled public outrage and political debates.
• Legal Precedents:
• The judgment will set a precedent for future cases under the PMLA.
• It will address the balance between ensuring justice and upholding the rights of the accused.

Timeline of Events

Date	Event
July 2022	Partha Chatterjee arrested by the ED.
July 2022	Seizure of cash, gold, and properties from Arpita Mukherjee’s residence.
October 1, 2024	Supreme Court issued notice to the ED to respond to Chatterjee’s bail plea.
December 13, 2024	Supreme Court scheduled to deliver its verdict.

Possible Outcomes

1. Bail Granted:

• Chatterjee may be released under stringent conditions.
• Political and legal ramifications for ongoing investigations.

1. Bail Denied:

• Continued detention for Chatterjee, intensifying political challenges for his party.
• Potential acceleration of the trial process to avoid prolonged detention.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision on Partha Chatterjee’s bail plea will be closely watched across the nation. It underscores critical issues of judicial efficiency, accountability in high-profile corruption cases, and the protection of individual rights under the law.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on this landmark case.