NEW DELHI: Following jailed Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Manik Bhattacharya’s petition seeking bail, a two-judge Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma, issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last Friday.
Bhattacharya is currently in custody in connection to a case pertaining to alleged irregularities in teacher’s recruitment in West Bengal. Thursday’s notice required a comprehensive response from the Enforcement Directorate regarding Bhattacharya’s appeal.
The court’s involvement commenced after Bhattacharya appealed for bail, challenging the rejection of his bail application by the Calcutta High Court on November 16. Bhattacharya was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 11, 2022, following a long interrogation session. As the former head of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, he was detained for allegedly failing to cooperate with the investigation into these recruitment irregularities.
Bhattacharya, a TMC legislator, represents the Palashipara constituency in Nadia district, West Bengal.
The case has broader implications, with several FIRs (first information reports) filed at different stages relating to the recruitment process. These involve irregularities not just in teacher recruitment at various levels but also in the hiring for Group C and D positions in state-run schools.
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