Kolkata 31 August : A special Enforcement Directorate court in Kolkata on Wednesday denied the bail requests of the former minister Partha Chatterjee and his close aid Arpita Mukherjee in the multi-crore West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) recruitment fraud and ordered them to serve another 14 days of being held in judicial custody.Both Chatterjee and Mukherjee attended the hearing in an online mode from the respective correctional facilities where they are currently housed .the judge Jiban Kumar Sandhu ruled that both would appear at the next hearing on the 14th of September in the virtual format only.
Counsel for both Chatterjee and Mukherjee have argued that their clients are eager to attend a hearing in person and do not want to allow an infringement in their personal rights.But, Justice Sandhu ruled that the virtual presence in hearings is not an infringement on freedom of speech at any cost.
Chatterjee’s lawyer, Haradhan Bandopadhyay moved the bail plea based on health and age-related reasons.He also claimed that the agency investigating does not have evidence that the cash and property documents found in the case were owned by Chatterjee.He added that his client may be willing to remain in the house under arrest.
However the counsel of the ED Phiroze Edulji, in his argument against the ED, claimed that the different life insurance policies that were held by Mukherjee with Chatterjee as the nominee are a clear evidence of the connection between them.He also noted that even though the policies on life insurance were issued by Mukherjee but the premiums were deducted from the account of Chatterjee.of Chatterjee.The policies’ documents mention that Chatterjee was referred to as the”uncle” of Mukherjee, Edulji pointed out.
He also referred to Chatterjee as an influential individual, and therefore he was not given bail in any way.”The reports from the hospital that his lawyer is quoting should be sent to the court on their own.However, those reports reached Chatterjee.This shows how powerful he is.” he argued.
After listening to both sides, the judge ruled against bail pleas and granted them court-appointed custody.
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