The Indian Express :
West Bengal Industry and Commerce Minister Partha Chatterjee, who is also secretary general of the Trinamool Congress, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate Saturday in connection with its investigation into the alleged school jobs scam.
Chatterjee, who was state Education Minister when the alleged scam took place, was arrested after being questioned for nearly 24 hours.
His close associate Arpita Mukherjee was detained for questioning and later arrested. Two others detained were being questioned.
During searches Friday, the ED claimed to have recovered Rs 21.20 crore unaccounted cash in bundles, foreign
currency, ornaments and property papers from Mukherjee’s apartment in Diamond City South, Haridevpur.
The bundles of cash are suspected to be proceeds of the alleged scam. On Saturday, trunks were brought to the apartment to take away the seized cash and items.
As she was led away from her home, Mukherjee said, “It’s a big conspiracy… I haven’t done anything unethical.”
At a press conference, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said, “The money recovered from the house of one woman has no connection with the TMC. The woman is not a TMC member. The TMC has no connection with this incident. As far as Partha Chatterjee is concerned, the matter is in the court now. We have full faith in the judiciary. If anyone is found guilty or allegations against him are proven, only then action will be initiated against him by the party and the government.”
Following his arrest, Chatterjee was taken to the ESI Hospital in Joka for medical examination and then produced before the Bankshall court which sent him to ED custody for two days.
According to ED sources, Chatterjee will be produced in court again Monday.
