Calcutta High Court Grants Bail To Suspended TMC Youth Vice-President In Recruitment Scam Case

The Calcutta High Court has granted bail to former Trinamool Congress youth leader Santanu Banerjee, who was being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate in the multi-crore cash for jobs recruitment scam.

Banerjee was one of the many key figures who were arrested by the ED in connection with the scam.

In an order granting him bail, subject to stringent conditions, Justice Suvra Ghosh held:

"It is not in dispute that he is a first-time offender and has not been convicted of any offence earlier. Keeping in view the voluminous evidence to be considered by the learned Trial Court, chance of conclusion of trial within the time frame for incarceration during trial laid down in section 479 is bleak. Rejecting the prayer of the petitioner at this stage and granting him liberty to renew his prayer upon completion of the said time frame shall serve no purpose at all."

"Article 21 of the Constitution and section 479 of the 2023 Act read in harmony speak in favour of grant of bail to the petitioner on the ground of rolonged detention without trial as well as delay in trial," she added.

Banerjee was arrested due to alleged irregularities in his job in the WBSEDCL, an on-paper salary of 2-6 lakhs an annum, and his assets which were entirely disproportionate to his income.

He was accused of illegally appointing ineligible candidates in lieu of large sums of money in the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET-2014) conducted by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education.

It was also found that he had received a sum of Rs 40 lakhs from another accused Sujoy Krishna Bhadra for purchasing a flat from the alleged proceeds of the crime.

In finding that the trial was not set to commence for the foreseeable future, the Court held that that delay in commencement of trial had entitled the petitioner to bail.

Accordingly, it allowed the plea and granted bail.

Case: Santanu Banerjee v/s Enforcement Directorate

Case No: CRM(SB) 207/2023

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Cal) 256

Click here to read order