News Analysis India

Tag: Arpita Mukherjee

  • SSC scam: HC extends former Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee’s judicial remand by 14 days

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: A special court on Thursday extended the judicial remand of former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee and his alleged close aide Arpita Mukherjee, both arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the school jobs scam, by 14 more days.

    After being in ED custody till August 5 following their arrest on July 23, Chatterjee and Mukherjee had been sent to judicial remand by the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court here.

    Rejecting a bail prayer of the former minister, Judge Jibon Kumar Sadhu granted 14 days’ judicial remand of the two accused on a prayer by the ED till August 31.

    On a prayer by the central investigating agency, the court granted permission to the ED to further interrogate them in the correctional homes they are lodged in.

    Mukherjee did not make any bail prayer before the court on Thursday.

    Chatterjee and Mukherjee were arrested by the ED on July 23 in connection with its probe into the money trail in illegal appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff in West Bengal government-sponsored and -aided schools.

    The ED has claimed to have recovered Rs 49.80 crore, jewellery and gold bars from flats owned by Mukherjee, Chatterjee’s alleged close associate, and documents of properties and a company in joint holdings.

    Chatterjee has been relieved of his ministerial duties by the Mamata Banerjee government, while the Trinamool Congress has also removed him from all posts he held in the party following his arrest.

    Claiming that 70-year-old Chatterjee suffers from chronic illnesses and needs active medical intervention, his lawyer prayed for his bail on any condition.

    The public prosecutor appearing for the ED claimed that Chatterjee and Mukherjee are involved in a criminal conspiracy for illegally giving jobs for the post of teachers and money recovered from her flats were proceeds of crime.

    He also claimed that seized documents reveal a close association of Mukherjee with family members of the former minister through a company named Ananta Texfab Pvt Ltd and the address of it is a flat at Belghoria in the northern outskirts of Kolkata, from where cash amounting to Rs 27.90 crore was seized.

    It was alleged that Chatterjee and Mukherjee entered into a partnership of equal share vide a partnership deed in November 2012 to form a company named APA Utility Services.

    Opposing the bail prayer, the ED counsel submitted that Chatterjee is an influential person as he is a sitting MLA and may influence witnesses in the case.

    Observing that the allegations against the accused are very serious, the judge rejected Chatterjee’s bail prayer.

    KOLKATA: A special court on Thursday extended the judicial remand of former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee and his alleged close aide Arpita Mukherjee, both arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the school jobs scam, by 14 more days.

    After being in ED custody till August 5 following their arrest on July 23, Chatterjee and Mukherjee had been sent to judicial remand by the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court here.

    Rejecting a bail prayer of the former minister, Judge Jibon Kumar Sadhu granted 14 days’ judicial remand of the two accused on a prayer by the ED till August 31.

    On a prayer by the central investigating agency, the court granted permission to the ED to further interrogate them in the correctional homes they are lodged in.

    Mukherjee did not make any bail prayer before the court on Thursday.

    Chatterjee and Mukherjee were arrested by the ED on July 23 in connection with its probe into the money trail in illegal appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff in West Bengal government-sponsored and -aided schools.

    The ED has claimed to have recovered Rs 49.80 crore, jewellery and gold bars from flats owned by Mukherjee, Chatterjee’s alleged close associate, and documents of properties and a company in joint holdings.

    Chatterjee has been relieved of his ministerial duties by the Mamata Banerjee government, while the Trinamool Congress has also removed him from all posts he held in the party following his arrest.

    Claiming that 70-year-old Chatterjee suffers from chronic illnesses and needs active medical intervention, his lawyer prayed for his bail on any condition.

    The public prosecutor appearing for the ED claimed that Chatterjee and Mukherjee are involved in a criminal conspiracy for illegally giving jobs for the post of teachers and money recovered from her flats were proceeds of crime.

    He also claimed that seized documents reveal a close association of Mukherjee with family members of the former minister through a company named Ananta Texfab Pvt Ltd and the address of it is a flat at Belghoria in the northern outskirts of Kolkata, from where cash amounting to Rs 27.90 crore was seized.

    It was alleged that Chatterjee and Mukherjee entered into a partnership of equal share vide a partnership deed in November 2012 to form a company named APA Utility Services.

    Opposing the bail prayer, the ED counsel submitted that Chatterjee is an influential person as he is a sitting MLA and may influence witnesses in the case.

    Observing that the allegations against the accused are very serious, the judge rejected Chatterjee’s bail prayer.

  • ‘In 3 years, shell firms linked to ex WB minister Partha, his kin, Arpita had deals worth Rs 500 crore’

    Express News Service

    KOLKATA: The sleuths of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the alleged recruitment scam in West Bengal schools on Sunday said they have detected transactions of over Rs 500 crore done during 2016-2019 in several bank accounts linked to arrested former minister Partha Chatterjee and his aide, Arpita Mukherjee.

    Sources said the ED found suspicious transactions of Rs 1.5 crore carried out days before Chatterjee and Arpita were arrested last month.

    According to sources, the investigators also came across the names of Chatterjee’s wife Babli and daughter Sohini and son-in-law Kalyanmoy Bhattacharya in suspicious business deals.

    Accounts of suspected shell companies were used for the transactions of huge amounts, officials said.

    “The transactions were made in the accounts of shell companies, such as Apa Utility Services, Ananta Texfab Pvt Ltd, four real estate firms and two trustees. Ananta Texfab is registered in the address of one of Arpita’s flats, which is Flat No. 8A, Block-5, Club Town Heights, Belgharia, from where Rs 27.9 crore cash was seized recently. But the firm has no office set-up and employees,’’ said an ED official.

    The agency came across another company named Viewmore Highrise Pvt Ltd, which is also registered in the same address in Belgharia. Sources said during the lockdown, transactions were made using five bank accounts.

    “Every day, the transaction volume was Rs 20-30 lakh. In the balance sheet, transactions were shown as part of business deals which seem suspicious,’’ said another official.    

    Ananta Texfab filed its financial statements till March 31, 2021. The ED has asked Sohini and Kalyanmoy, who are in the United States, to come to Kolkata for the probe.

    “The two were once major stakeholders of the company and later exited by selling their shares to Arpita,’’ said an officer.

    The name of Babli, who died recently, has also emerged. “The statutory filing with the corporate affairs ministry shows that in March 2014, Babli held a 15 per cent share in Ananta Texfab while Sohini and Kalyanmoy held 75 per cent and 10 per cent shares, respectively. In March 2017, Babli sold her shares to Echhay Entertainment, which has Arpita as a director. On the same day, Sohini and Kalyanmoy sold their shares directly to Arpita,’’ said an official. 

    KOLKATA: The sleuths of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the alleged recruitment scam in West Bengal schools on Sunday said they have detected transactions of over Rs 500 crore done during 2016-2019 in several bank accounts linked to arrested former minister Partha Chatterjee and his aide, Arpita Mukherjee.

    Sources said the ED found suspicious transactions of Rs 1.5 crore carried out days before Chatterjee and Arpita were arrested last month.

    According to sources, the investigators also came across the names of Chatterjee’s wife Babli and daughter Sohini and son-in-law Kalyanmoy Bhattacharya in suspicious business deals.

    Accounts of suspected shell companies were used for the transactions of huge amounts, officials said.

    “The transactions were made in the accounts of shell companies, such as Apa Utility Services, Ananta Texfab Pvt Ltd, four real estate firms and two trustees. Ananta Texfab is registered in the address of one of Arpita’s flats, which is Flat No. 8A, Block-5, Club Town Heights, Belgharia, from where Rs 27.9 crore cash was seized recently. But the firm has no office set-up and employees,’’ said an ED official.

    The agency came across another company named Viewmore Highrise Pvt Ltd, which is also registered in the same address in Belgharia. Sources said during the lockdown, transactions were made using five bank accounts.

    “Every day, the transaction volume was Rs 20-30 lakh. In the balance sheet, transactions were shown as part of business deals which seem suspicious,’’ said another official.    

    Ananta Texfab filed its financial statements till March 31, 2021. The ED has asked Sohini and Kalyanmoy, who are in the United States, to come to Kolkata for the probe.

    “The two were once major stakeholders of the company and later exited by selling their shares to Arpita,’’ said an officer.

    The name of Babli, who died recently, has also emerged. “The statutory filing with the corporate affairs ministry shows that in March 2014, Babli held a 15 per cent share in Ananta Texfab while Sohini and Kalyanmoy held 75 per cent and 10 per cent shares, respectively. In March 2017, Babli sold her shares to Echhay Entertainment, which has Arpita as a director. On the same day, Sohini and Kalyanmoy sold their shares directly to Arpita,’’ said an official. 

  • EB school jobs scam: Partha, Arpita sent to judicial custody till August 18

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Former education minister of West Bengal Partha Chatterjee and his aide Arpita Mukherjee were sent to 14 days in judicial custody by a special court in Kolkata on Friday in the SSC scam case.

    Special PMLA court judge Jibon Kumar Sadhu granted 14 days’ judicial remand of Chatterjee and Mukherjee on a prayer by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

    The court rejected a bail prayer of the former minister and directed that Chatterjee and Mukherjee be produced again on August 18 when the matter will be heard again.

    Chatterjee and Mukherjee have been in ED’s remand since their arrest on July 23 in connection with its probe into the money trail in illegal recruitments done by the School Service Commission (SSC) for West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools.

    The ED has claimed that it recovered Rs 49.80 crore in cash, jewellery and gold bars from apartments owned by Mukherjee, besides documents of properties and a company in joint holding.

    The duo is facing charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

    ALSO READ | ‘Partha Chatterjee used to take Arpita Mukherjee for joyrides in high-end cars, have parties’: Investigators

    KOLKATA: Former education minister of West Bengal Partha Chatterjee and his aide Arpita Mukherjee were sent to 14 days in judicial custody by a special court in Kolkata on Friday in the SSC scam case.

    Special PMLA court judge Jibon Kumar Sadhu granted 14 days’ judicial remand of Chatterjee and Mukherjee on a prayer by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

    The court rejected a bail prayer of the former minister and directed that Chatterjee and Mukherjee be produced again on August 18 when the matter will be heard again.

    Chatterjee and Mukherjee have been in ED’s remand since their arrest on July 23 in connection with its probe into the money trail in illegal recruitments done by the School Service Commission (SSC) for West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools.

    The ED has claimed that it recovered Rs 49.80 crore in cash, jewellery and gold bars from apartments owned by Mukherjee, besides documents of properties and a company in joint holding.

    The duo is facing charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

    ALSO READ | ‘Partha Chatterjee used to take Arpita Mukherjee for joyrides in high-end cars, have parties’: Investigators

  • SSC scam: Money was kept without my knowledge, says Arpita as ED raids 5 more places

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: Speaking out first time in public on the issue of recovery of cash Rs 49.8 crore from her two Apartments, Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of suspended Trinamool Congress minister Partha Chatterjee, claimed on Tuesday that the money was not her and it was kept in her absence and without her knowledge.

    While being taken for medical examination two days ago, Chatterjee, who was arrested in connection with alleged recruitment scam in schools, said he doesn’t have any money.

    Asked from where the huge volume of cash came to her apartments, Arpita, while being taken to ESI hospital, Joka, for medical examination with Chatterjee, said, “The money was not mine. It was kept in my places when I was not present there. The money was brought there without my knowledge.”

    Chatterjee, however, did not utter a word on Tuesday. The ED conducted searches at five places, which include three apartments in south Kolkata and two nail-art outlets owned by Arpita.

    ALSO READ | SSC scam: Partha Chatterjee sticks to ‘conspiracy’ theory; aide Arpita washes off her hands

    “The raids were conducted at Baranagar, Patuli, Panditiya Road and Lake Gardens. We came to know about these places while examining the documents recovered from the residences of Chatterjee and Arpita,” said an ED official.

    The central agency did not interrogate Chatterjee and Arpita during their nine-day custody. “There were discrepancies in the statements given by both the accused. Both claimed that they don’t own the money. Arpita said she was not present when the currency notes were being kept in her apartments and she had no access to the rooms where it was kept. Chatterjee claimed that he has no idea about the money that we seized,” said an official of the agency.    

    Chatterjee and Arpita will be produced in a special prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court on Wednesday. “We will mention in our submission in the court about the recovery of cash from Arpita’s second apartment after interrogating her. We will seek the suspects’ further custody,” said another ED official.

    Meanwhile, a homemaker, identified herself as Subhra Ghorui, hurled her sandals at the vehicle in which Chatterjee was being taken out after medical examination. The shoes, however, did not hit Chatterjee.

    “Had my sandals hit Chatterjee’s head, I would have been happy. He looted money from poor people. He deserves what I did,” said Subhra, a mother of a daughter who also went to the same hospital for medical check-up.

    KOLKATA: Speaking out first time in public on the issue of recovery of cash Rs 49.8 crore from her two Apartments, Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of suspended Trinamool Congress minister Partha Chatterjee, claimed on Tuesday that the money was not her and it was kept in her absence and without her knowledge.

    While being taken for medical examination two days ago, Chatterjee, who was arrested in connection with alleged recruitment scam in schools, said he doesn’t have any money.

    Asked from where the huge volume of cash came to her apartments, Arpita, while being taken to ESI hospital, Joka, for medical examination with Chatterjee, said, “The money was not mine. It was kept in my places when I was not present there. The money was brought there without my knowledge.”

    Chatterjee, however, did not utter a word on Tuesday. The ED conducted searches at five places, which include three apartments in south Kolkata and two nail-art outlets owned by Arpita.

    ALSO READ | SSC scam: Partha Chatterjee sticks to ‘conspiracy’ theory; aide Arpita washes off her hands

    “The raids were conducted at Baranagar, Patuli, Panditiya Road and Lake Gardens. We came to know about these places while examining the documents recovered from the residences of Chatterjee and Arpita,” said an ED official.

    The central agency did not interrogate Chatterjee and Arpita during their nine-day custody. “There were discrepancies in the statements given by both the accused. Both claimed that they don’t own the money. Arpita said she was not present when the currency notes were being kept in her apartments and she had no access to the rooms where it was kept. Chatterjee claimed that he has no idea about the money that we seized,” said an official of the agency.    

    Chatterjee and Arpita will be produced in a special prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court on Wednesday. “We will mention in our submission in the court about the recovery of cash from Arpita’s second apartment after interrogating her. We will seek the suspects’ further custody,” said another ED official.

    Meanwhile, a homemaker, identified herself as Subhra Ghorui, hurled her sandals at the vehicle in which Chatterjee was being taken out after medical examination. The shoes, however, did not hit Chatterjee.

    “Had my sandals hit Chatterjee’s head, I would have been happy. He looted money from poor people. He deserves what I did,” said Subhra, a mother of a daughter who also went to the same hospital for medical check-up.

  • SSC scam: ED begins process of freezing bank accounts of arrested Bengal Minister’s associate

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has begun the process of freezing at least three bank accounts of suspended TMC leader Partha Chatterjee’s associate Arpita Mukherjee, where they have found at least Rs 2 crore, a senior official of the agency said on Saturday.

    Bank accounts belonging to several “shell companies” of Mukherjee are also under ED scanner, he said.

    “The process of freezing Mukherjee’s three bank accounts has started. A total of around Rs 2 crore has been found in these accounts. We suspect these accounts were used to carry out several transactions and further probe is underway,” the official said.

    He said a decision on freezing the bank accounts of the “shell companies” is yet to be taken, while refusing to divulge the amount in those accounts.

    “We have sought the details of these bank accounts from authorities concerned. After going through the accounts, we will decide our next course of action,” he said.

    The ED sleuth said the agency will continue grilling Mukherjee to know whether she has any more bank accounts.

    Chatterjee’s bank accounts are also being checked, sources said.

    Interrogation of both Mukherjee and Chatterjee is underway since morning, they said.

    Both Chatterjee, who has been stripped of his ministerial and party duties, and Mukherjee, from whose two flats ED has seized Rs 50 crore in cash besides jewellery and foreign currency, will be in the custody of the central agency till August 3.

    The duo was arrested on July 23 for their alleged involvement in the school jobs scam, where genuine candidates were allegedly sidestepped with names that did not appear on the merit list.

    ED is probing the money laundering aspect of the scam.

    When taken to ESI Hospital in Joka area in south Kolkata on Friday, Chatterjee alleged he was a “victim of conspiracy”, but TMC has asserted that he was “solely responsible for his fate”.

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has begun the process of freezing at least three bank accounts of suspended TMC leader Partha Chatterjee’s associate Arpita Mukherjee, where they have found at least Rs 2 crore, a senior official of the agency said on Saturday.

    Bank accounts belonging to several “shell companies” of Mukherjee are also under ED scanner, he said.

    “The process of freezing Mukherjee’s three bank accounts has started. A total of around Rs 2 crore has been found in these accounts. We suspect these accounts were used to carry out several transactions and further probe is underway,” the official said.

    He said a decision on freezing the bank accounts of the “shell companies” is yet to be taken, while refusing to divulge the amount in those accounts.

    “We have sought the details of these bank accounts from authorities concerned. After going through the accounts, we will decide our next course of action,” he said.

    The ED sleuth said the agency will continue grilling Mukherjee to know whether she has any more bank accounts.

    Chatterjee’s bank accounts are also being checked, sources said.

    Interrogation of both Mukherjee and Chatterjee is underway since morning, they said.

    Both Chatterjee, who has been stripped of his ministerial and party duties, and Mukherjee, from whose two flats ED has seized Rs 50 crore in cash besides jewellery and foreign currency, will be in the custody of the central agency till August 3.

    The duo was arrested on July 23 for their alleged involvement in the school jobs scam, where genuine candidates were allegedly sidestepped with names that did not appear on the merit list.

    ED is probing the money laundering aspect of the scam.

    When taken to ESI Hospital in Joka area in south Kolkata on Friday, Chatterjee alleged he was a “victim of conspiracy”, but TMC has asserted that he was “solely responsible for his fate”.

  • Huge cash found again from another flat of arrested WB minister’s aid

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday again found a large amount of cash in another flat of Arpita Mukherjee, considered a close associate of West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee who was arrested in connection with the school recruitment scam, an official said.

    The central agency also arrested Mukherjee on July 23, a day after unearthing unaccounted cash worth over Rs 21 crore from her flat in south Kolkata. This time, the cash was found in another apartment owned by her at Belgharia in the northern fringes of the city.

    ED sleuths had to break open a door to get into two flats in Belghoria’s Rathtala locality as the keys to open them could not be spotted, the official said.

    “We have found a good amount of money from one of the flats in a housing complex. We have brought three note counting machines to know the exact amount,” he told PTI when contacted. Several “vital” documents were also found in the flats during a search.

    During questioning, Mukherjee informed the ED about her properties in and around Kolkata. Since Wednesday morning, the agency has been conducting raids at those properties.

    Asked about the questioning of the minister and Mukherjee, the official said that though she has been “cooperative throughout”, Chatterjee was not.

    The CBI, as directed by the Calcutta High Court, is looking into the alleged irregularities committed in the recruitment of Group-C and D staff as well as teachers in government-sponsored and aided schools on recommendations of the West Bengal School Service Commission.

    The ED is tracking the money trail in the scam. Chatterjee was the education minister when the alleged irregularities took place.

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday again found a large amount of cash in another flat of Arpita Mukherjee, considered a close associate of West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee who was arrested in connection with the school recruitment scam, an official said.

    The central agency also arrested Mukherjee on July 23, a day after unearthing unaccounted cash worth over Rs 21 crore from her flat in south Kolkata. This time, the cash was found in another apartment owned by her at Belgharia in the northern fringes of the city.

    ED sleuths had to break open a door to get into two flats in Belghoria’s Rathtala locality as the keys to open them could not be spotted, the official said.

    “We have found a good amount of money from one of the flats in a housing complex. We have brought three note counting machines to know the exact amount,” he told PTI when contacted. Several “vital” documents were also found in the flats during a search.

    During questioning, Mukherjee informed the ED about her properties in and around Kolkata. Since Wednesday morning, the agency has been conducting raids at those properties.

    Asked about the questioning of the minister and Mukherjee, the official said that though she has been “cooperative throughout”, Chatterjee was not.

    The CBI, as directed by the Calcutta High Court, is looking into the alleged irregularities committed in the recruitment of Group-C and D staff as well as teachers in government-sponsored and aided schools on recommendations of the West Bengal School Service Commission.

    The ED is tracking the money trail in the scam. Chatterjee was the education minister when the alleged irregularities took place.

  • Around Rs 15 crore cash found again from another flat of arrested WB minister’s aide

    By Online Desk

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday again found a large amount of cash in another flat of Arpita Mukherjee, considered a close associate of West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee who was arrested in connection with the school recruitment scam, an official said.

    Huge amount of cash was recovered from the residence of Mukherjee, at Belgharia Town Club. “Around Rs 15 crore was counted so far, further recovery of money is expected,” ANI quoted officials as saying. 

    The central agency also arrested Mukherjee on July 23, a day after unearthing unaccounted cash worth over Rs 21 crore from her flat in south Kolkata. This time, the cash was found in another apartment owned by her at Belgharia in the northern fringes of the city.

    ED sleuths had to break open a door to get into two flats in Belghoria’s Rathtala locality as the keys to open them could not be spotted, the official said.

    “We have found a good amount of money from one of the flats in a housing complex. We have brought three note counting machines to know the exact amount,” he told PTI when contacted. Several “vital” documents were also found in the flats during a search.

    #WATCH | Cash counting machines brought to the residence of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee, located at Belgharia Town Club.After a search operation, ED recovered a huge sum of money from her residence. pic.twitter.com/Gf3Vt9NPdb
    — ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2022
    During questioning, Mukherjee informed the ED about her properties in and around Kolkata. Since Wednesday morning, the agency has been conducting raids at those properties.

    Similarly, the ED officials sealed one of the two flats of Arpita Mukherjee in Belghoria. 

    #WATCH | One of the 2 flats of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of WB Min Partha Chatterjee, in Belghoria sealed by ED.A notice pasted there mentions a due maintenance amount of Rs 11,819 against her name; Rs 20 Cr earlier & Rs 15 Crores today were recovered from her residence. pic.twitter.com/5EBNyvntZc
    — ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2022
    A notice was pasted stating there was a due maintenance amount of Rs 11,819 against Arpita Mukherjee’s name.

    Asked about the questioning of the minister and Mukherjee, the official said that though she has been “cooperative throughout”, Chatterjee was not.

    The CBI, as directed by the Calcutta High Court, is looking into the alleged irregularities committed in the recruitment of Group-C and D staff as well as teachers in government-sponsored and aided schools on recommendations of the West Bengal School Service Commission.

    The ED is tracking the money trail in the scam. Chatterjee was the education minister when the alleged irregularities took place.

    (With inputs from agencies)

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday again found a large amount of cash in another flat of Arpita Mukherjee, considered a close associate of West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee who was arrested in connection with the school recruitment scam, an official said.

    Huge amount of cash was recovered from the residence of Mukherjee, at Belgharia Town Club. “Around Rs 15 crore was counted so far, further recovery of money is expected,” ANI quoted officials as saying. 

    The central agency also arrested Mukherjee on July 23, a day after unearthing unaccounted cash worth over Rs 21 crore from her flat in south Kolkata. This time, the cash was found in another apartment owned by her at Belgharia in the northern fringes of the city.

    ED sleuths had to break open a door to get into two flats in Belghoria’s Rathtala locality as the keys to open them could not be spotted, the official said.

    “We have found a good amount of money from one of the flats in a housing complex. We have brought three note counting machines to know the exact amount,” he told PTI when contacted. Several “vital” documents were also found in the flats during a search.

    #WATCH | Cash counting machines brought to the residence of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee, located at Belgharia Town Club.
    After a search operation, ED recovered a huge sum of money from her residence. pic.twitter.com/Gf3Vt9NPdb
    — ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2022
    During questioning, Mukherjee informed the ED about her properties in and around Kolkata. Since Wednesday morning, the agency has been conducting raids at those properties.

    Similarly, the ED officials sealed one of the two flats of Arpita Mukherjee in Belghoria. 

    #WATCH | One of the 2 flats of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of WB Min Partha Chatterjee, in Belghoria sealed by ED.
    A notice pasted there mentions a due maintenance amount of Rs 11,819 against her name; Rs 20 Cr earlier & Rs 15 Crores today were recovered from her residence. pic.twitter.com/5EBNyvntZc
    — ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2022
    A notice was pasted stating there was a due maintenance amount of Rs 11,819 against Arpita Mukherjee’s name.

    Asked about the questioning of the minister and Mukherjee, the official said that though she has been “cooperative throughout”, Chatterjee was not.

    The CBI, as directed by the Calcutta High Court, is looking into the alleged irregularities committed in the recruitment of Group-C and D staff as well as teachers in government-sponsored and aided schools on recommendations of the West Bengal School Service Commission.

    The ED is tracking the money trail in the scam. Chatterjee was the education minister when the alleged irregularities took place.

    (With inputs from agencies)

  • School jobs scam: ED gets 10 days’ custody of arrested Bengal minister, associate

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: A Kolkata court on Monday granted 10 days’ Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee and his alleged associate Arpita Mukherjee, who were arrested in connection with its probe into the school jobs scam.

    The ED had prayed for 14 days’ custody of Chatterjee, stating that AIIMS, Bhubaneswar has said in a report after medical examination of the minister on a Calcutta High Court order that no active intervention is required over his health.

    Rejecting a bail prayer of the minister, special ED Court judge Jibon Kumar Sadhu at Bankshall court here granted ED custody of the minister and also of Mukherjee till August 3.

    The court directed in its order which came around 11 pm that the two accused persons, who were arrested on July 22, be produced before it again on August 3.

    The ED prayed for 14 days’ custody of Chatterjee claiming that he has been in state-run SSKM Hospital allegedly faking illness and thus the agency could not question him during the two-day remand granted by the CMM in-charge court on Saturday. The agency also prayed for Mukherjee’s custody for 13 days.

    Calcutta High court on Sunday directed that Chatterjee be taken to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for a medical check-up by specialists of various departments on Monday morning. The judge directed that medical examination be conducted of both the accused every 48 hours of their detention in ED custody.

    The court directed the investigating officer not to inflict torture upon the accused persons. The investigating officer was directed not to subject Mukherjee to custodial interrogation between 9 pm and 6 pm.

    KOLKATA: A Kolkata court on Monday granted 10 days’ Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee and his alleged associate Arpita Mukherjee, who were arrested in connection with its probe into the school jobs scam.

    The ED had prayed for 14 days’ custody of Chatterjee, stating that AIIMS, Bhubaneswar has said in a report after medical examination of the minister on a Calcutta High Court order that no active intervention is required over his health.

    Rejecting a bail prayer of the minister, special ED Court judge Jibon Kumar Sadhu at Bankshall court here granted ED custody of the minister and also of Mukherjee till August 3.

    The court directed in its order which came around 11 pm that the two accused persons, who were arrested on July 22, be produced before it again on August 3.

    The ED prayed for 14 days’ custody of Chatterjee claiming that he has been in state-run SSKM Hospital allegedly faking illness and thus the agency could not question him during the two-day remand granted by the CMM in-charge court on Saturday. The agency also prayed for Mukherjee’s custody for 13 days.

    Calcutta High court on Sunday directed that Chatterjee be taken to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for a medical check-up by specialists of various departments on Monday morning. The judge directed that medical examination be conducted of both the accused every 48 hours of their detention in ED custody.

    The court directed the investigating officer not to inflict torture upon the accused persons. The investigating officer was directed not to subject Mukherjee to custodial interrogation between 9 pm and 6 pm.

  • Recovery of cash Rs 22 crore is an onion, more to surface as we peel it: ED to court

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: The recovery of Rs 21.9 crore cash and jewellery worth Rs 76 lakh from the south Kolkata residence of Arpita Mukherjee, a model and actor who is said to be a close aide of arrested TMC minister Partha Chatterjee, was like an onion, compared a lawyer who represented the Enforcement Directorate.

    More revelations are expected with its peeling, the lawyer said while opposing the bail plea of the accused in the Bankshall court on Sunday.

    The court rejected Arpita’s bail plea and remanded her to ED’s custody for one day directing the central agency to produce both Chatterjee and her on Monday.

    “The recovery of money is like an onion. As we will start peeling it, more surprises will surface. The box stashed with gold and diamond jewellery is nothing other than Alibaba’s box. We need to know the origin of the money. We are opposing Arpita Mukherjee’s bail application as we need to interrogate her thoroughly,” said ED’s lawyer.

    While leaving the court premises, Arpita said, “Law would take its own course.” When asked whether she had any relation with TMC heavyweight Partha Chatterjee, she replied, “I have no connection with any political leader and any political party.”  

    Sources in the central agency said documents related to properties were found from Chatterjee’s residence which was issued in the name Arpita. The properties in the names of Chatterjee’s relatives are also under the scanner of the ED.

    “We came to know about eight apartments in and around Kolkata in Arpita’s name. She is yet to disclose the source of the money that was used to purchase the properties,” an ED official said.

    The sleuths of the central agency are also investigating Arpita’s trips to overseas. “She used to travel frequently to foreign countries. We should know her purpose behind the trips and from where she got the funds,” the official added.  

    Meanwhile, the ED moved High Court challenging the lower court’s order allowing Chatterjee, who was arrested after being interrogated for over 17 hours at his south Kolkata residence and recovery of the huge cash from his close aide’s house, to be admitted to a state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.

    “Chatterjee took admission there citing uneasiness. It was to skip our interrogation. We sought his 14-day custody but got only two days. The authorities of the hospital are not cooperating with us,” said ED’s lawyer in the high court.

    The ED wanted Chatterjee treatment in a Centre-run hospital like ESI or AIIMS in Kalyani.

    The central agency is also probing into Chatterjee’s assets, both in his name and others’ names where money was siphoned off.

    KOLKATA: The recovery of Rs 21.9 crore cash and jewellery worth Rs 76 lakh from the south Kolkata residence of Arpita Mukherjee, a model and actor who is said to be a close aide of arrested TMC minister Partha Chatterjee, was like an onion, compared a lawyer who represented the Enforcement Directorate.

    More revelations are expected with its peeling, the lawyer said while opposing the bail plea of the accused in the Bankshall court on Sunday.

    The court rejected Arpita’s bail plea and remanded her to ED’s custody for one day directing the central agency to produce both Chatterjee and her on Monday.

    “The recovery of money is like an onion. As we will start peeling it, more surprises will surface. The box stashed with gold and diamond jewellery is nothing other than Alibaba’s box. We need to know the origin of the money. We are opposing Arpita Mukherjee’s bail application as we need to interrogate her thoroughly,” said ED’s lawyer.

    While leaving the court premises, Arpita said, “Law would take its own course.” When asked whether she had any relation with TMC heavyweight Partha Chatterjee, she replied, “I have no connection with any political leader and any political party.”  

    Sources in the central agency said documents related to properties were found from Chatterjee’s residence which was issued in the name Arpita. The properties in the names of Chatterjee’s relatives are also under the scanner of the ED.

    “We came to know about eight apartments in and around Kolkata in Arpita’s name. She is yet to disclose the source of the money that was used to purchase the properties,” an ED official said.

    The sleuths of the central agency are also investigating Arpita’s trips to overseas. “She used to travel frequently to foreign countries. We should know her purpose behind the trips and from where she got the funds,” the official added.  

    Meanwhile, the ED moved High Court challenging the lower court’s order allowing Chatterjee, who was arrested after being interrogated for over 17 hours at his south Kolkata residence and recovery of the huge cash from his close aide’s house, to be admitted to a state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.

    “Chatterjee took admission there citing uneasiness. It was to skip our interrogation. We sought his 14-day custody but got only two days. The authorities of the hospital are not cooperating with us,” said ED’s lawyer in the high court.

    The ED wanted Chatterjee treatment in a Centre-run hospital like ESI or AIIMS in Kalyani.

    The central agency is also probing into Chatterjee’s assets, both in his name and others’ names where money was siphoned off.