WB School Jobs Scam : Supreme Court Asks Bengal Govt To Decide On Sanction To Prosecute Partha Chatterjee's Co-Accused

The Supreme Court on Thursday (May 8) directed the State of West Bengal to take a decision on granting sanction to prosecute the co-accused of former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee in the case under the Prevention of Corruption Act over alleged bribery for offering school jobs.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice NK Singh passed this order while adjourning Chatterjee's bail application in the CBI case till July 17 to be listed along with the bail petitions of the co-accused.

"Meanwhile, inorder to facilitate trial, the State of West Bengal is directed to take a decision regarding granting sanction in the cases of the petitioner's co-accused within 2 weeks. We are conscious of the fact that State and abovenamed accused are not before us. We have not expressed opinion on merits," the bench ordered.

The bench passed the order after Chatterjee's cousnel said that the trial was not progressing since sanction for the co-accused was pending though the sanction with respect to the petitioner has been granted. "Trial is not happening. It can't be separated also from co-accused. Sanction qua me was granted. Sanction qua co-accused is not coming," he said.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, for the CBI, told the bench that the State has to grant the sanction. ASG said that the Special Leave Petitions filed by the co-accused against the same order of the High Court rejecting bail were listed in July and suggested that Chatterjee's petition be also listed with them.

When Chatterjee's counsel said that he was in a precarious health condition and was bed-ridden, ASG said that he was faking his condiiton. ASG also alleged that he was "neck-deep in corruption."

During the hearing, the bench also expressed surprise at the High Court delivering a split verdict on the bail of Chatterjee.

"We have reached a stage where in bail matters there are dissenting opinions. Mr Raju, what is happening? In bail matters, HCs are having divergent views?! Something very..." Justice Kant said.

In December 2024, the Supreme Court had allowed Chatterjee bail in the connected money laundering case with effect from Febraury 1, 2025. However, his custody continued in the CBI case under the PC Act.

The West Bengal cash-for-jobs scam involved allegations of illegal recruitment of Assistant Teachers under the West Bengal Board of Primary Education.

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