School recruitment scam: ED visits ex-minister Partha Chatterjee’s Kolkata residence

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday carried out a fresh visit to the residence of former West Bengal education minister and senior leader of Partha Chatterjee in Kolkata, as part of the ongoing investigation into the school recruitment scam that has rocked the state’s education sector.

Officials reached his Naktala residence around 10:45 am, with central forces deployed to cordon off the area before the search operation began. Sources said ED officials also questioned Chatterjee during the visit.

Chatterjee was earlier arrested on July 23, 2022, in connection with alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff in government-aided schools. He was released on bail on November 11, 2025, after spending around 39 months in custody , following relief granted in multiple related cases, including by the Supreme Court.

The probe had initially begun with ED raids in July 2022, which also covered premises linked to his close associate Arpita Mukherjee. During those searches, agencies had reportedly recovered over ₹50 crore in cash and gold jewellery , triggering widespread political controversy.

Chatterjee has been accused of being a key figure in the alleged illegal recruitment of Group C and Group D staff in state-run and aided schools during his tenure as education minister. He has denied all allegations.

Following his arrest, he was removed from the state cabinet and later suspended from the Trinamool Congress. As part of his bail conditions, he surrendered his passport and remains restricted from leaving the jurisdiction of the trial court.

Sources also noted that Chatterjee had earlier skipped an ED summons after being released on bail, which led to renewed scrutiny from the agency. He had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kolkata prior to his release from custody.

In a key political development, he was not renominated from his Behala Paschim constituency for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections , marking the end of his four-term run from the seat since 2006.

The latest ED action indicates that the school jobs scam investigation remains active , with agencies continuing to trace financial links and examine key evidence in the case.