Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Former West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee Granted Bail in School Recruitment Scam Case
A former minister in West Bengal, Partha Chatterjee, has been let out of jail after being inside for more than three years.
He was accused of taking money to help people get jobs in schools when they weren't qualified.
This big problem, called the WBSSC scam, started in 2016 when many more people were hired than there were jobs.
The Calcutta High Court looked into it and told the police to investigate.
The police arrested Mr. Chatterjee and a woman named Arpita Mukherjee, finding a lot of cash at her place.
Many other people, including other politicians and school officials, were also arrested.
The High Court initially said all the new appointments were bad, but the Supreme Court later put a hold on that decision.
Now, Mr. Chatterjee has been given bail and is out of jail, though legal cases are still ongoing for him and others involved.
Former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee was released on bail after over three years in connection with the alleged 2016 WBSSC school jobs-for-cash scam.
The scam involves alleged discrepancies in recruitment for 24,640 posts, where appointment orders were issued to 25,753 candidates.
Chatterjee faces charges including accepting bribes, conspiring with officials, manipulating OMR sheets, and money laundering.
The Calcutta High Court directed the CBI to investigate, and several individuals including TMC MLAs and officials were arrested.
The Supreme Court has stayed the order invalidating appointments while allowing the High Court's order on cancelling exams to stand, and the WBSSC has released the names of 1,806 'tainted' candidates.
- Who
- Partha Chatterjee, former West Bengal Minister and accused in the WBSSC scam, along with other TMC MLAs and officials.
- What
- Partha Chatterjee was released on bail after over three years in custody in connection with the alleged WBSSC scam, which involves irregularities in recruitment for state-run schools.
- When
- Partha Chatterjee was released on bail on Tuesday; the scam came to light in 2016, and investigations began in 2022.
- Where
- Kolkata, West Bengal; the case involves recruitment for state-run and aided schools in West Bengal.
- Why
- Chatterjee was arrested for his alleged involvement in accepting bribes, conspiring with officials, manipulating OMR sheets, and money laundering in the school recruitment process. He has now been granted bail.
Partha Chatterjee's Stance
ED/CBI and Calcutta High Court's Findings
Role in the Scam
Partha Chatterjee's Stance
Chatterjee denies having a role in the School Service Commission recruitments, stating it is an autonomous body with a separate chairperson and he had no involvement.
ED/CBI and Calcutta High Court's Findings
Chatterjee was arrested by the ED in July 2022 in connection with the alleged 2016 West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) scam, facing charges of accepting bribes, conspiring with officials, and money laundering.
Allegations and Recoveries
Partha Chatterjee's Stance
Chatterjee claims cash was not found at his home and defends his personal life, stating he can have a girlfriend and questioning why others' relationships are accepted. He implies Mamata Banerjee is aware of leaders' personal lives.
ED/CBI and Calcutta High Court's Findings
The ED raided premises of an alleged aide of Chatterjee, Arpita Mukherjee, on the same day of his arrest and recovered a huge amount of cash and jewellery. She was later arrested. Chatterjee faces charges of manipulating OMR sheets and appointing dummy directors in shell companies to launder 'ill-gotten' wealth.
Party Loyalty and Support
Partha Chatterjee's Stance
Chatterjee expresses his loyalty to the TMC and feels his downfall was a result of it. He is upset that no senior TMC leaders, including Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee, contacted him during his imprisonment. He plans to visit his constituency soon.
ED/CBI and Calcutta High Court's Findings
Chatterjee was expelled from the TMC and his cabinet. His son-in-law turned approver in the case. The TMC leadership has emphasized a zero-tolerance stance on corruption. Other accused TMC leaders like Manik Bhattacharya and Jiban Krishna Saha are also facing charges.
- Name
- Partha Chatterjee
- Political Party
- Trinamool Congress (TMC)
- Former Position
- West Bengal Minister of State Education
- Case
- West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) scam, school jobs-for-cash scam
- Arrest Date
- July 23, 2022
- Duration in Custody
- Over 3 years
- Release
- Granted bail on Tuesday, released from prison.
- Associate Arrested
- Arpita Mukherjee (close associate)
Sources
Partha Chatterjee released on bail after over 3 years in SSC recruitment scam case - Telegraph India
Partha Chatterjee Returns Home After Bail in SSC Scam Case
Former West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee Released On Bail After 3 Years
‘In prison I thought about the Brutus’: Partha Chatterjee hits out at TMC after release
