Arpita Mukherjee, a key figure in the high-profile teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal, was granted bail by a special Enforcement Directorate (ED) court on Monday. Mukherjee, who had been in judicial custody since her arrest in July 2022, was granted relief in connection with the ongoing investigation into the cash-for-jobs scandal.
The 39-year-old Mukherjee, a close associate of former state education minister Partha Chatterjee, was accused of being deeply involved in the illegal recruitment case. The ED court, located at Bankshall Court in Kolkata, directed her to provide a bond of ₹5 lakh with appropriate sureties, half of which must be local. As part of her bail conditions, Mukherjee has also been prohibited from leaving the territorial jurisdiction of Kolkata Police without prior court approval. Furthermore, she was ordered to appear before the court on every hearing related to the teacher recruitment case.
Mukherjee’s arrest, along with Chatterjee’s, in 2022 came after the ED launched an investigation into allegations of financial irregularities in the hiring of teachers for government schools in West Bengal. In September 2022, the ED revealed that it had uncovered assets worth ₹103.10 crore linked to Mukherjee and Chatterjee, including cash, jewellery, immovable properties, and a network of shell companies. The investigation also traced 35 bank accounts, 40 properties, 31 life insurance policies, and 201 shell companies connected to the accused.
Mukherjee’s lawyer had argued for bail, citing her prolonged stay in custody and the fact that she had been incarcerated for more than one-third of the maximum sentence she could face if convicted. The judge acknowledged the Supreme Court’s guidelines, which allow for bail in cases where the accused is a first-time offender who has served a significant portion of the potential maximum sentence. Mukherjee faces charges with a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
Mukherjee had been granted parole last week due to the passing of her mother, but her release on bail represents a significant development in the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, her associate, Partha Chatterjee, remains in custody.
The investigation into the teacher recruitment case continues to draw attention as the ED works to unravel the full extent of the alleged scam, with multiple individuals and assets linked to the case still under scrutiny.
Sources By Agencies
