Teacher recruitment scam: CBI grills Abhishek Banerjee for 8 hours

Before reaching CBI offices at Nizam Palace, Banerjee wrote a letter to the CBI informing it of his decision to move the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order which allows investigative agencies CBI and ED to question him.

The Calcutta High Court bench of Justice Sinha bench had on Thursday dismissed Abhishek’s plea to stay CBI interrogation. (File photo)

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TMC’s second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee Saturday appeared before the CBI for questioning in connection with the alleged teacher recruitment scam. He reached the CBI’s Nizam Palace office in Kolkata around 11 am and was there for over eight hours.

Simultaneously, on Saturday morning, officers of the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at two of Sujay Krishna Bhadra’s properties in connection with the alleged scam. Bhadra is said to be close to the ruling TMC.

Before reaching the CBI office, Abhishek sent a letter to the agency stating: “Please note that I have preferred a Special Leave Petition before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, thereby challenging the order dated 18.05.2023 passed by the Hon’ble Justice Amrita Sinha… The same shall be mentioned for urgent hearing before the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 22.05.2023 or as and when the business of the Hon’ble Court shall permit. Please be informed that this reply is without prejudice to my rights and contentions under law.”

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Also read | From Ankita to Babita to Anamika: How a teaching job changed hands in Bengal

The Calcutta High Court bench of Justice Sinha bench had on Thursday dismissed Abhishek’s plea to stay CBI interrogation, following which he was summoned by the agency.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, lashed out at the BJP government for ushering in “agency-raj” in the country.

As Abhishek reached the CBI office, the CM tweeted, “On this day, in 2011, we were sworn in to replace a 34-year-old monster regime and to usher in the Ma Mati Manush government in West Bengal. We renew the pledge today and re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of the people. The agency-raj of an authoritarian government at the Centre makes our task challenging, but millions over the country are with us in our march. Long live 20 May.”

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Abhishek Banerjee arrives to appear before CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) in connection with the alleged teachers recruitment scam, in Kolkata, Saturday, May 20, 2023. (PTI Photo)

The recruitment scam pertains to the hiring of thousands of teachers across Bengal’s educational system in 2016. A series of petitions were filed in the High Court alleging anomalies in the recruitment process, and several cases were taken up by the court.

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CBI sources said that during questioning, Abhishek was asked about his connection with the arrested persons.

BJP leader Sukanta Majumder meanwhile asked why TMC leaders are “running from court to court if they have done no wrong”.

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