West Bengal recruitment scam: CBI files FIR against TMC's Paresh Adhikari & his daughter

On Thursday, Central Investigation Bureau (CBI) filed an FIR against West Bengal Education Minister Paresh hikari and his daughter Ankita hikari. case was registered after far-daughter duo skipped CBI summon deline that was set by Calcutta High Court. 

This comes a day after anor senior TMC leer, Partha Chatterjee, was grilled at  Nizam's Palace office of Central Bureau of Investigation for over 3.5 hours on Wednesday.

CBI files FIR against TMC Leer Paresh hikari & his daughter

High Court directed that if minister failed to appear before CBI within stipulated time, n agency can file an FIR. State Education Minister has been summoned in connection with illegal recruitment of teachers in government-aided schools and is also accused of allotting job to his daughter Ankita hikari illegally. Despite allegedly not being a part of merit list, TMC leer's daughter got government job.

FIR has been lodged against m under section 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) & Prevention of Corruption Act 7 (Obtaining an undue vantage, with intention to perform or cause performance of public duty improperly or dishonestly).  HC has also urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar to remove Paresh hikari from cabinet.

Partha Chatterjee summoned by CBI  

Partha Chatterjee was grilled at  Nizam's Palace office of Central Bureau of Investigation for over 3.5 hours on Wednesday. Embroiled in  controversial appointments of teachers to government-aided schools on recommendations of School Service Commission, former education minister appeared before central agency for interrogation at 5:43 PM and left only after 9:30 PM.

Irregularities of staff appointments in state-run schools in West Bengal

In 2016, state h recommended appointment of around 13,000 group D staff in state-run schools. Based on recommendation, West Bengal School Service Commission (WBCSSC) conducted exams and based on interviews, commission finalised a panel of prospective employees.

validity of panel expired on May 4, 2019. reafter, a section of candidates who failed to secure appointments despite remaining enlisted in panel, moved court alleging that Commission h illegally recommended appointments from panel even after its expiry.

During course of back-to-back hearings, Court h lashed out at commission and warned it of a CBI probe into corruption charges if required. Finally, in November 2021, a CBI investigation into scam was ordered. 

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