Sujay Krishna Bhadra, popularly known as “Kalighater Kaku,” failed to appear in the CBI court on Tuesday due to complaints of chest pain. Currently in jail under ED custody for his alleged involvement in the Bengal recruitment scam, Sujay was expected to attend the hearing virtually. However, the court ruled that he must be physically present, as the CBI has sought his custody for further interrogation. The court directed that Sujay be presented in person on November 28.
Meanwhile, in the same case, the CBI secured custody of former TMC leader Shantanu Banerjee from Hooghly and ex-minister Partha Chatterjee’s close aide, Santu Gangopadhyay. Both were presented before the court on Tuesday and will remain in CBI custody until November 29.
CBI Seeks Custody of Kalighat’s Kaku
The CBI argued that Sujay Krishna Bhadra played a key role in the recruitment scam. Initially arrested by the ED in May 2023, Sujay has since been in jail. The investigating agency emphasized that Sujay’s interrogation is crucial to uncovering further details of the scam.
Sujay, who has a history of heart issues and even underwent surgery, has been hospitalized multiple times since his arrest. The CBI claimed that new digital evidence and witness statements necessitate his interrogation.
Role of Santu and Shantanu in the Scam
The CBI alleges that Santu Gangopadhyay collected bribes on behalf of Partha Chatterjee and Sujay Krishna Bhadra from aspirants in the recruitment process. Santu was arrested on Monday after his name surfaced during recent interrogations of other suspects. Santu’s lawyer questioned the timing of the arrest, pointing out that he had been interrogated multiple times earlier without any detention. However, the CBI contended that Santu had been influencing witnesses, prompting his arrest.
Similarly, Shantanu Banerjee is accused of collecting crores from job seekers. His lawyer argued that the investigation into Shantanu has been ongoing for over two years, and his arrest now is questionable. Despite these claims, the court granted the CBI custody of both Santu and Shantanu for further investigation.
The Bigger Picture
The Bengal recruitment scam has been a contentious issue, with multiple arrests, including high-profile figures like Partha Chatterjee. The alleged collection of bribes from job seekers and misuse of authority has drawn significant attention. With CBI tightening its investigation, more revelations are expected in the coming days.