The Supreme Court on Thursday directed Manik Bhattacharya, former Chairman of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, to approach an appropriate court regarding his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Primary Teachers appointment scam case.
The Bench of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Vikram Nath also refused a plea to allow Bhattacharya to meet his counsels and asked that this application should be made before an appropriate court.
Representing the Enforcement Directorate, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the arguments of the petitioners stating that it was an independent investigation by an independent agency. He also pointed out that high-level officials were involved in the matter.
The Single-Judge Bench of Justice Anirudhha Bose had reserved order in the case on October 18, after hearing the submissions of both the parties.
Representing Bhattacharya, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi had argued that the court had granted protection to Bhattacharya in the case of CBI and that the AITC leader had been cooperating with the investigation.
The Counsel claimed that the remand application filed in Bhattacharya’s matter was being mixed with that of former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and actor Arpita Mukherjee.
He alleged that even though nothing was recovered from Bhattacharya’s house, it was claimed that huge amounts were recovered from his residence.
Appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta contended that there was evidence of money trail in this case.
The Trinamool Congress leader was arrested by ED under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on October 10, 2022. Partha Chatterjee and Arpita Mukherjee were arrested in July, this year.