SSC ‘scam’ case: Ex-minister Partha, aide Arpita sent to judicial custody

The two will now be produced in the court on August 18.

The court observed, “The two are facing a case under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) which is serious in nature. The investigation process has just begun. The allegations against the two accused are grave. Considering the facts, nature and gravity of the offence and that the investigation is in its initial stage, the prayer for bail of the accused petitioner (Partha) is rejected.”

The ED had filed an application seeking nod to interrogate Partha and Arpita in judicial custody and to record their statements by a team of three officials led by the investigating officer (IO).

The court granted permission for the same.

The judge directed the jail superintendents concerned to render all necessary co-operations to the investigating team.

Both the prosecution and Arpita’s lawyer sought direction to the correctional home superintendent to ensure her safety in judicial custody.

The court directed the Alipur Women Correctional Home superintendent to do the needful. The ED told the court that they had intelligence inputs that Arpita was under threat and hence the food and water offered to her in jail should be tested beforehand.

Arpita’s lawyer submitted that considering her “lifestyle and social status” she should be treated as a “division-1 prisoner”.
In response to the ED’s submission to remand Chatterjee in jail, his lawyers told the court that not even a single currency note was recovered from the former minister’s house.

“He is no longer a minister. He does not hold any party position anymore. He is just a common man who is aged above 70 and should be granted bail on health grounds,” they said.

The lawyers also told the court that he might resign as MLA, if required, since he was being referred to as an “influential” person. .

The ED claimed that Partha has been “highly non-cooperative” during his custodial interrogation.

“He did not even sign the documents recovered from his premises at Naktala, Kolkata. The non-cooperation exhibited by him is unprecedented,” it said in its submission to the court.

The agency said the investigation was at a “very nascent and crucial stage”.

So far, Rs 49.80 crore in cash and jewellery worth Rs 5 crore have been recovered from Arpita’s flats.