CBI Chargesheet Reveals Major Recruitment Scam in West Bengal
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made shocking revelations in its chargesheet regarding the primary education recruitment scam in West Bengal. The 28-page document highlights illegal appointments and mentions a crucial audio clip as evidence. This clip allegedly features former education minister Partha Chatterjee, Manik Bhattacharya, and an individual named Abhishek Banerjee discussing bribes and misuse of power. The chargesheet claims that Sujaykrishna Bhadra, also known as ‘Kalighat-er Kaku,’ demanded ₹15 crore in exchange for illegal recruitment.
CBI Investigation: The Audio Clip That Unveiled the Scam
According to the CBI’s findings, an audio clip recorded in 2017 at a residence in Behala plays a key role in exposing the scam. This conversation was secretly recorded by Arvind Roy Barman under the direction of Kuntal Ghosh and Shantanu Banerjee. The recorded conversation was later transferred to a laptop and came into CBI’s possession during the investigation.
The chargesheet states that Sujaykrishna Bhadra was heard mentioning that “Abhishek Banerjee demanded ₹15 crore for illegal appointments, but after collecting ₹6.5 lakh per candidate, further payments were not possible.” The CBI further alleges that the accused threatened to cancel appointments and warned candidates of possible arrests if they failed to pay additional bribes.
Political Connections & Money Distribution in the Scam
The CBI chargesheet suggests that Sujaykrishna, Shantanu, and Kuntal Ghosh planned to extort money from nearly 2,000 job aspirants, accumulating around ₹100 crore. The report claims that:
- ₹20 crore each was designated for Partha Chatterjee, Manik Bhattacharya, and Abhishek Banerjee.
- The remaining ₹40 crore was to be distributed among other intermediaries involved in the scheme.
Additionally, the investigation found connections between the scam and the former president of the Hooghly District Primary School Council. Evidence suggests that Shantanu Banerjee facilitated recruitment for a candidate in Balagarh, using his personal mobile number as the contact for official documents.
Forensic Analysis & Witness Testimonies Strengthen CBI’s Case
To authenticate the audio clip, CBI has sent it to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for voice analysis. Voice samples of Sujaykrishna, Kuntal Ghosh, and Shantanu Banerjee have been sent to Delhi for verification. Initial reports suggest that multiple witnesses have confirmed the authenticity of the recording. Additionally, confidential testimonies from Arvind Roy Barman and Surjeet Chanda have been recorded as supporting evidence.
Who is Abhishek Banerjee? Mystery Deepens
The CBI chargesheet only mentions the name ‘Abhishek Banerjee’ without providing any identifying details. This has sparked speculation over whether the individual is a political leader or an administrative official. While the audio clip does not explicitly clarify his role, it does mention conflicts between him and Partha Chatterjee over money transactions related to the scam.
Implications of the CBI Chargesheet on West Bengal Politics
The revelation of this scam could have significant political ramifications in West Bengal. With key figures from the ruling party allegedly involved in the recruitment fraud, opposition parties are expected to intensify their demand for stricter investigations and legal action against those implicated.
As the forensic analysis progresses, the coming months could bring more shocking details to light. The CBI’s findings will play a crucial role in shaping the legal proceedings against the accused and determining the extent of political corruption in the recruitment process.
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