Overview
- An Alipore special CBI court ordered Partha Chatterjee’s release after the eighth material witness finished testifying, and he left a Kolkata hospital for home on November 11.
- The Supreme Court had permitted bail contingent on framing of charges and recording eight depositions; the trial court has framed charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and completed the first phase of testimony.
- Calcutta High Court conditions require him to surrender his passport, remain within the trial court’s jurisdiction, attend all hearings, avoid contact with witnesses, and refrain from holding public office beyond his MLA role.
- Co-accused former WBSSC chair Subiresh Bhattacharya and adviser S P Sinha received similar release orders as parallel CBI and ED proceedings continue against multiple accused.
- Investigators allege a 2016 recruitment-for-cash scheme, with the ED saying it traced about ₹103 crore in cash, jewellery and property linked to Chatterjee and aide Arpita Mukherjee while the CBI pursues corruption and recruitment irregularities.