In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Bengal cash-for-jobs scandal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made startling revelations before a special PMLA court in Kolkata.
According to the ED, a middleman in the alleged scam collected Rs 72 crore in the criminal proceeds
The ED’s claims are based on the review of the bank transactions of Roy and his family members spanning during six years. The period coincides with the peak of the alleged irregularities.
Roy is an influential figure within the state’s Education Department circles. He allegedly misused his connections to arrange the placement of ineligible candidates in teaching positions. He charged hefty cash-for-jobs from the candidates.
Roy’s familial ties to former state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee are also under scrutiny. The case sheds light on the nexus between political influence and corruption in the recruitment process. Chatterjee himself has been jailed for more than two years on allegations of leading the scandal.
The ED’s probe into Roy’s financial activities revealed a dramatic increase in his wealth. Roy began as a house painting contractor and worked at holiday resorts and tea gardens in North Bengal. This dramatic rise in wealth, particularly during the period of the alleged scam, has raised eyebrows among investigators.
Initially apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Roy secured temporary relief through conditional bail from the Supreme Court. Later ED detained him on charges related to money laundering.
The revelations emerging from the ED’s investigation underscore the pervasive nature of corruption and the intricate web of influence peddling plaguing the state’s educational apparatus. As the legal proceedings unfold, the ramifications of this scandal continue to reverberate, casting a shadow over the integrity of the recruitment process and the broader governance framework in West Bengal.
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