LI Network
Published on: 23 August 2023 at 12:30 IST
The Supreme Court of India dealt a significant blow to the West Bengal government on Monday when it dismissed the government’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s decision to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into irregularities in municipal recruitment.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, heading the bench, expressed satisfaction with the connection between the teachers’ recruitment scam and the municipal recruitment scam.
During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the investigating agency, presented evidence of Rs 350 crores being exchanged as undeserving candidates were appointed as teachers.
He also mentioned the involvement of Manik Bhattacharyya and the ongoing investigation into the teachers’ recruitment scam, which had led to the discovery of Rs 5 crores in money and jewelry, and the arrest of the education minister.
In response to these claims, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued against the jurisdiction of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the matter, pointing out that the ED is meant for money laundering cases.
Chief Justice Chandrachud interjected by highlighting the conclusion of the CBI investigation and the connection between the municipal recruitment and teachers’ recruitment scams.
The West Bengal government’s plea was filed to challenge the interim order issued by the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court on May 22, 2023.
This order denied interim relief regarding the stay on the investigation conducted by the CBI and ED into the alleged Municipality recruitment scam.
The plea contended that the Impugned Order overlooks the established legal precedents and attempts to cast aspersions on the State Government without providing the opportunity for the state to investigate the alleged offense.