Kolkata: West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the SSC recruitment scam, was admitted to the hospital due to chest pain. Partha Chatterjee was shifted to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. The minister was earlier remanded in two-day ED custody by the Bankshal Court in Kolkata.
The ED had pointed out in the court that the admission to SSKM, a government hospital, was likely to have political influence. Arguments are in progress regarding the demand for hospitalization of the command.
Commerce and Industry Minister and former Education Minister Partha’s lawyer argued that no money was found at his residence, no special permission was obtained for his arrest and he appeared on time.
But the lawyer on behalf of the ED stated that the documents recovered from Arpita Mukherjee’s residence clearly show the relationship and money transactions between the two. The ED counsel added that it is not a trivial offense but a huge financial crime.
Chatterjee was arrested from his residence in Kolkata. The investigation team is also examining in detail what the recovered mobile phones were used for. Investigation documents, company details, foreign currency and gold were also recovered from those involved in the scam.
A CBI investigation into irregularities in the recruitment of non-teaching staff (group C & D), assistant teachers and primary school teachers is in progress. The ED is also probing whether money laundering has taken place. The scandal came to light when Partha Chatterjee was the education minister. He was questioned by the CBI on April 26 and May 18.