School Jobs for Cash Scam: Calcutta High Court pulls up CBI, ED for slow pace of probe

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday pulled up both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for their slow pace in investigating the alleged role of Trinamool Congress leader, Abhishek Banerjee in the 'School Jobs for Cash' scam. [Soumen Nandy vs State of West Bengal].Single-judge, Justice Amrita Sinha expressed her displeasure over the pace of the probe, which is being carried out by both central agencies. When the matter was called out, Deputy Solicitor General Billwadal Bhattacharya submitted a status report of the probe in a sealed envelope. He apprised the bench of the developments in the probe and how the central agency plans to carry its investigation forward.However, the bench was unimpressed with the report."There is no substantial development at all," the judge remarked. The DSG responded that he was speaking on the aspect of the probe against Abhishek Banerjee and Kuntal Ghosh, another accused who was arrested and who claimed that he was being harassed and pressurised to name the TMC general secretary in the case. "How much time does it take to probe this aspect alone? How much time do you need to examine some persons? I would say, if there is a genuine will, one can do anything," the Court said. It proceeded to take on record the status report while noting that, "There has been no substantial development in the probe, which is presently moving at a snail's pace.".Subsequently, the bench sought to know about the development in the probe being conducted by the ED. However, the counsel representing the anti-money laundering agency told the bench that it had already filed a status report in an earlier hearing."Even the last report was unsatisfactory, to say the least," the judge remarked. The ED counsel, however, maintained that the agency is probing the money trail in this case. The bench weighed in that this is the most important aspect of the case as the figures are around ₹300 crore."But are your (ED) officers competent enough to probe this case?" Justice Sinha questioned.The counsel, in turn, assured the bench that there would be some progress in the probe and that he would submit a fresh status report by the next date of hearing. Following this, the bench adjourned the hearing till July 14.