'Serious Corrupt Practice': Calcutta HC Orders CBI Probe Into Primary Teacher Recruitment In State-Run Schools

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a case related to primary teacher recruitment and directed the central agency to submit their report in a closed envelope on June 15.

Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay was apprised by the petitioner that former state minister and IPS officer Upendra Nath Biswas had named one Chandan Mondal of Bagda, North 24 Parganas for allegedly giving jobs of primary school teachers in lieu of money. Incidentally, Upendra Nath Biswas is a former additional director of the CBI. It was further alleged that Mondal is hands-in-glove with Ministers of the Education Department of Government of West Bengal.

Ordering for a CBI probe, the Court underscored, 

"Serious allegation by one responsible person, who was none other than the Ex-Additional  Director of CBI and a Cabinet Minister of the State Government in the first five years of the Government, has come before this court which is serious corrupt practice. I hold this aspect is to be thoroughly investigated by the CBI and such investigation is required to be started forthwith. The Police of this State is otherwise very efficient but controlled by some persons in power and cannot act freely which is common knowledge and without showing any disrespect to the Police authority I hold that CBI is the appropriate authority to investigate the matter."

It was further stated that the CBI shall have every power to call and interrogate the accused Chandan Mondal and the former State minister Upendra Nath Biswas was also instructed to fully cooperate with the CBI to expose the scam of selling jobs as has been alleged.

Accordingly, the CBI was directed to submit a status report in a sealed cover on the next date of hearing which is slated to take place on June 15. 

Case Title: Soumen Nandy v. The State of West Bengal & Ors

Case Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Cal) 229

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