What Did the CBI Investigation Uncover?
The CBI’s third supplementary chargesheet in the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam has brought shocking revelations to light. The chargesheet, based on the testimony of Mahidul Haque Ansari, a B.Ed college owner and TET aspirant, exposes a well-oiled network of corruption involving politicians, agents, and bureaucrats. From primary teacher recruitment to B.Ed college registrations and NOCs, money exchanged hands at every step.
The Kuntal Ghosh Connection: Jobs for Money
Mahidul Haque Ansari, a key witness in the case, revealed that Kuntal Ghosh, a politically influential figure, promised him and his family members jobs as primary teachers in exchange for money. Here’s how the scam unfolded:
- Initial Promise: In 2017, Kuntal offered Mahidul primary teacher jobs for ₹1 lakh per candidate. Mahidul paid ₹5 lakh for five candidates but never received the jobs.
- Higher Primary Scam: Later, Kuntal demanded ₹25 lakh for five candidates to secure higher primary teacher jobs. After payment, the panel was canceled by the High Court, and Mahidul only recovered ₹24 lakh.
- Sujaykrishna Bhadra’s Role: Kuntal claimed that Sujaykrishna Bhadra, known as “Kalighat’s Kaku,” facilitated the recruitment process.
The B.Ed College Mafia: A Lucrative Business
Mahidul, who owns multiple B.Ed and D.El.Ed colleges, exposed how these institutions became hubs of corruption:
- Offline Registrations: Students were forced to pay ₹5,000–₹10,000 for offline registrations as the online portal was intentionally kept dysfunctional.
- NOC Scam: B.Ed colleges had to pay ₹7 lakh to obtain NOCs, allegedly facilitated by former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and his associate Bivas Adhikari.
- Manik Bhattacharya’s Role: The then-President of the Primary Education Board was accused of deliberately sabotaging the online registration system to promote offline payments.
Tapas Mondal vs Bivas Adhikari: The Battle for Control
The CBI chargesheet highlights a rivalry between Tapas Mondal and Bivas Adhikari, both close associates of Manik Bhattacharya, over control of the scam:
- Tapas Mondal: Head of the All Bengal Teachers’ Training Association, Tapas allegedly collected crores from job aspirants and facilitated illegal appointments.
- Bivas Adhikari: A former TMC block president, Bivas operated through agents like Palash Mondal and collected money at Shyambazar’s Purabi Cinema Hall.
- Manik Bhattacharya’s Influence: Both Tapas and Bivas worked under Manik’s guidance, who allegedly orchestrated the entire scam.
Partha Chatterjee’s Involvement
Mahidul’s testimony implicates former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee in the scam:
- NOC Scam: Partha allegedly instructed Bivas Adhikari to collect ₹7 lakh from B.Ed colleges for NOCs.
- Political Nexus: Bivas maintained direct contact with Partha, who reportedly approved the list of colleges eligible for NOCs.
What’s Next?
The CBI has already arrested Partha Chatterjee, Manik Bhattacharya, Kuntal Ghosh, and Tapas Mondal. The investigation is now focusing on Bivas Adhikari and his network of agents. Key questions remain:
- How deep does the political nexus go?
- How many crores were siphoned off in this scam?
- What reforms will be implemented to clean up the education system?