Kolkata, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday accused former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee of violating his bail conditions in the multi-crore Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruitment case.
The agency alleged before a special court at Bichar Bhavan in Kolkata that Chatterjee has not been regularly appearing before the investigating officer as required under the conditions imposed by the Calcutta High Court.
Chatterjee’s lawyer, however, cited his client’s health problems and told the court that the CBI had been informed by email about the possibility of his appearing virtually. The lawyer said Chatterjee occasionally requires hospitalisation. The CBI opposed the virtual appearance, alleging non-compliance with the court’s directions and lack of cooperation in the investigation.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for September 29.
The Calcutta High Court had granted Chatterjee conditional bail in September 2025 in the CBI case. The court directed him to furnish a bond of Rs 10 lakh and imposed several conditions, including surrendering his passport, remaining within the trial court’s jurisdiction without permission, appearing on every date of hearing and not intimidating witnesses or tampering with evidence.
He was also directed to meet the investigating officer once a week and cooperate with the investigation. The court permitted him to continue as a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly but barred him from being appointed to any public office during the pendency of the investigation and trial.
Chatterjee was finally released from judicial custody on November 11, 2025, after spending more than three years in custody in connection with the school recruitment cases. His release followed the completion of the testimony of the material witnesses as required under an earlier Supreme Court direction.
The former minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in July 2022 in connection with alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers and other staff through the West Bengal School Service Commission. The CBI subsequently arrested him in related cases.
On the day of Chatterjee’s arrest, the ED reported recovering around Rs 21.9 crore in cash from a residence linked to his close associate Arpita Mukherjee, who was also arrested in the case.
The Calcutta High Court, while granting Chatterjee bail in September 2025, noted that the allegations involved alleged corruption and misuse of official position. The court also made clear that its observations were limited to deciding the bail application and should not be treated as findings on the merits of the case.
The latest CBI complaint has brought Chatterjee’s compliance with the bail conditions under judicial scrutiny. The court will consider the agency’s allegations and the defence’s explanation at the subsequent hearing.
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