NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recovered a black diary of Bengal department of school education and higher education during searches at a flat of arrested state minister Partha Chatterjee’s aide Arpita Mukherjee in the teacher recruitment case.
Chatterjee held the education portfolio when the irregularities in the recruitment allegedly took place.
Partha and Arpita were arrested by the agency after it recovered huge piles of cash and jewellery from the latter’s residence in Tollygunge area of Kolkata on Friday evening.
Arguing for the remand of the duo before the Calcutta high court on Monday, the ED said it recovered various incriminating documents relating to immovable properties in the name of Mukherjee and her companies during searches at Chatterjee’s premises.
The court had sent Chatterjee and Mukherjee to 10 days of ED custody till August 3.
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It recovered various incriminating documents including an envelope “Minister in-charge, Department of Higher Education, School Education, Parliamentary Affairs, Government of WB” printed on it, a black diary of Department of Higher Education and School Education, deed of conveyance in the name of Partha Chatterjee and Arpita Mukherjee from the residential premises of Mukherjee.
Following searches at Mukherjee’s flat, the agency also recovered Rs 21.9-crore in cash, which, it said, were “nothing but proceeds of crime”.
Partha and his aide Arpita were involved in giving “illegal appointments” to assistant teachers for class IX to XII, primary teachers as well as non-teaching staff (Group C and D) in lieu of money, the ED told the court.
“During the course of investigation, it is revealed that Mukherjee has regular contact with Chatterjee through Mobile No 983***9505. The proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 21.9 crore, which was recovered at the premises of Mukherjee was nothing but proceeds of crime parked with her,” the ED said.
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The ED also said that more than 20 mobile phones have also been recovered from the premises of Mukherjee, the purpose and use of which is to be ascertained.
It further said that Arpita Mukherjee, an actor, remained uncooperative during the searches and did not provide any satisfactory replies to the huge cash stashed in her house.
“Envelopes bearing the official seal of the Minister in charge, Department of Higher Education, School Education, Parliamentary Affairs, Government of West Bengal have been recovered containing the cash money,” the ED said.
Some anti-social elements abuse ED officers and attempt to manhandle officers, while on transit, the ED informed the court, adding that the life of ED officers are at the “highest risk”.
When ED officers along with CRPF personnel were returning from Bankshall court to the office with Mukherjee in a hired Innova Car on July 24 night, a black car moved from left side lane and came in front of the said car which led to the minor impact injury to the officers and Mukherjee and also damage the said vehicle, it told the court.