Overview

• A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N K Singh granted bail to former education minister Partha Chatterjee, Dr. Subires Bhattacharyya, and S P Sinha after nearly three years in custody
• The court noted trial proceedings were held up by delays in securing prosecution sanction for Bhattacharyya and Sinha, while sanction has already been granted for Chatterjee
• As a condition of bail, it ordered charges to be formally framed within four weeks and material witness statements to be recorded within two months
• The Enforcement Directorate opposed the bail applications, emphasizing serious money-laundering and corruption allegations tied to the 2016 SLST teacher recruitment process
• The bench warned that the accused could seek further relief if the trial deadlines are not met, signaling judicial impatience with prolonged pre-trial detention