West Bengal Cash-For-Jobs Scam : Supreme Court Grants TMC Youth Leader Kuntal Ghosh Liberty To Approach HC For Bail In PMLA Case

The Supreme Court today granted Trinamool Congress youth leader Kuntal Ghosh liberty to approach the High Court for bail in a money laundering case arising out of the alleged cash-for-jobs scam in West Bengal.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant, CT Ravikumar and Ujjal Bhuyan passed the order in a writ petition filed by Ghosh, assailing fresh bail hearing by a new judge, after significant hearing had already taken place before the preceding judge.

On the last date, the Court directed the West Bengal Special Court to hear and decide Ghosh's bail plea in 10 days, with Justice Kant orally remarking that Ghosh had a "genuine concern". The Court also called for a compliance report from the Special Court.

Today, taking note of Special Court's order dated 08.10.2024, whereby Ghosh's bail application was rejected, the Supreme Court disposed of the petition before it, granting liberty to Ghosh to approach the High Court, if so advised.

"The instant petition has been filed inter-alia alleging that the petitioner's bail application which was pending before the Special Court under PMLA was not being decided. Consequently, while issuing notice, it was directed by this Court on 01.10.2024 that the Special Court shall take up the petitioner's bail matter and decide the same within 10 days...In deference thereto, the Special Court has forwarded a copy of order dated 08.10.2024, whereby petitioner's bail application has been dismissed. That being so, the instant writ petition is disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to approach the High Court, if so advised", dictated Justice Kant.

The bench also requested the High Court to decide Ghosh's bail application expeditiously (preferably within 4 weeks), if he approaches it.

Background

Ghosh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in January, 2023. As per allegations, he collected Rs.19 crores from 325 candidates promising them jobs as teachers in West Bengal government-run schools.

Notably, several high-ranking officials from the West Bengal government have been implicated in the case since the probe began. These include former education minister Partha Chatterjee, former MLA Manik Bhattacharya and many others who have been in custody for more than a year.

Appearance: Advocate MS Khan (for Ghosh); Additional Solicitor General SV Raju (for ED)

Case Title: Kuntal Ghosh v. Enforcement Directorate (Kolkata Zone), W.P.(Crl.) No. 397/2024