Kolkata High Court Grants Bail to Kuntal Ghosh, Sets Strict Conditions
Kuntal Ghosh, the former youth leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) arrested in a corruption case, was granted bail by the Kolkata High Court on Wednesday. The court imposed several conditions on his release. According to Justice Subhra Ghosh, the accused will have to submit his passport and be present for hearings in the lower courts. He must also submit his mobile number to the court, and this number cannot be changed during the duration of the case. In addition, he is prohibited from influencing any witnesses involved in the case.
Despite receiving bail in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case, Kuntal has not been granted relief in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case. This means that he will remain in jail for the time being, despite his conditional release in one of the cases related to the primary recruitment scam.
Kuntal’s Appeal and the Court’s Ruling
Before approaching the High Court, Kuntal Ghosh had taken his plea for bail to the Supreme Court. However, the apex court referred the matter back to the High Court for a decision. The High Court heard the case and finally granted bail with strict conditions. Kuntal’s defense lawyer argued that his client should be granted bail, especially since another key accused in the same primary recruitment case, Manik Bhattacharya, had already been granted bail.
On the other hand, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) strongly opposed Kuntal’s bail application. The ED presented arguments in court stating that Kuntal had been involved in serious financial fraud, and there was substantial evidence to suggest that significant amounts of money had flowed through his bank accounts even after his arrest. According to the ED, over 1.5 crore rupees had been deposited into Kuntal’s account, the source of which he failed to clarify.
ED’s Opposition and Legal Arguments
ED’s lawyer, Feroze Edulji, argued that the case against Kuntal was different from that of Manik Bhattacharya. According to Edulji, Manik Bhattacharya was arrested only by the ED, while Kuntal faces multiple cases, including one filed by the CBI. Under Indian Penal Code Section 479(2), it is stated that a person facing multiple cases cannot be granted bail. The ED argued that Kuntal’s involvement in multiple ongoing investigations made his case distinct from Bhattacharya’s and thus should not be treated the same.
The ED also presented documents to support the claim that Kuntal had received money from multiple sources illegally, and that his actions during the investigation raised concerns about the possibility of tampering with evidence.
Primary Recruitment Scam and Kuntal’s Role
Kuntal Ghosh’s name became linked to the primary recruitment scam involving illegal appointments in primary schools. Kuntal, who was the former youth leader of TMC in Hooghly, allegedly played a significant role in the recruitment fraud. The main allegations suggest that Kuntal took substantial bribes from candidates aspiring to secure teaching jobs in primary schools.
One of the key witnesses, Tapas Mondal, who was involved in the investigation, claimed that Kuntal had accepted a bribe of 3.25 crore rupees from 325 candidates seeking teaching positions. Furthermore, Tapas provided evidence to the investigating authorities, alleging that a total amount exceeding 19 crore rupees had been routed to Kuntal’s accounts through illicit means.
The Investigation and Arrest of Kuntal Ghosh
Kuntal Ghosh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in January 2023 after a 24-hour long raid at his residence in Hooghly. During the raid, several incriminating documents and electronic records were found, suggesting that Kuntal had been deeply involved in financial fraud.
The case has sparked considerable political controversy, as Kuntal is a prominent figure within the Trinamool Congress. His arrest has been widely discussed in the media and among political circles, with the opposition parties accusing the ruling party of being involved in corruption at various levels of government.
Current Status of the Investigation
Although Kuntal Ghosh has been granted bail in the ED’s case, his future in the ongoing investigations is uncertain. The CBI’s case against him is still under investigation, and the possibility of additional charges being filed cannot be ruled out. The authorities have indicated that they will continue to probe the financial dealings of Kuntal and others involved in the primary recruitment scam.
If new evidence surfaces, it could lead to further legal action. Kuntal’s bail conditions are expected to be strictly monitored, with any violation potentially leading to the revocation of his bail.
Political Implications and Reactions
Kuntal Ghosh’s arrest and subsequent bail have political implications as well. As a former TMC leader, his involvement in the primary recruitment scam has attracted significant attention from both supporters and critics of the ruling party. The opposition parties have seized the opportunity to criticize the TMC leadership, claiming that the corruption within the party is widespread.
On the other hand, the ruling TMC has maintained that Kuntal is innocent until proven guilty and that the legal process should be allowed to take its course. The party has also emphasized that Kuntal is no longer a member of the TMC and that his actions are his own responsibility.