Kishore121 at 20:12, 26 October 2025

2025-10-26T20:12:04Z

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{{Update|date=August 2025}}
{{Short description|Ongoing education scam in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2022}}
{{Mamata Banerjee sidebar}}
'''West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment scam''' is an ongoing education SSC scam in [[West Bengal]], [[India]] since 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-west-bengal-school-service-commission-recruitment-scam-7869437/|title=Explained: What is the West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment scam?|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=15 April 2022|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> The scam is being currently investigated jointly by [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] and [[Enforcement Directorate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/kolkata-besides-cbi-ed-to-probe-bengal-ssc-recruitment-scam/articleshow/90853740.cms|title=Kolkata: Besides CBI, ED to probe Bengal SSC Recruitment scam|date=15 April 2022|access-date=16 April 2022|work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> The scam was revealed, following the arrest of [[Partha Chatterjee (politician)|Partha Chatterjee]], a [[Trinamool Congress]] leader, who has served as the Minister of Education in the [[Mamata Banerjee]]'s cabinet until his arrest on 23 July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bengal-teacher-recruitment-scam-ed-partha-chatterjee-arrest-20-crore-arpita-mukherjee-tmc-top-points-1979034-2022-07-23|title=ED arrests Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, finds link to money seized at close aide Arpita's house|work=[[India Today]]|date=23 July 2022}}</ref>

Notice in compliance with the direction of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, dated 25.07.2023 in Diary no. 28088 of 2023 and diary no. 28468 of 2023 towards publishing the details of 907 candidates in connection with 1st SLST,2016 for class XI-XII.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Court Affirms Sacking of 25,000 Bengal Teachers on Recruitment Scandal |url=https://www.brutimes.com/news/social/top-court-affirms-sacking-of-25000-bengal-teachers-on-recruitment-scandal |website=Bru Times News |language=en}}</ref>

In compliance with the direction of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, dated 25.07.2023 in Diary no. 28088 of 2023 and diary no. 28468 of 2023, the details of 907 candidates in connection with 1st State level Selection Test for the posts of Assistant Teachers (except Hill Region), for classes XI –XII, 2016 has been published in the website of West Bengal Central School Service Commission.<ref>[https://www.wbssc.org.in/2023/07/wbssc-publishing-details-of-907.html WBSSC: publishing the details of 907 candidates in connection with 1st SLST,2016 for class XI-XI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803092946/https://www.wbssc.org.in/2023/07/wbssc-publishing-details-of-907.html|date=August 3, 2023}}</ref>

==Background==
In November 2021, [[Calcutta High Court]] directed [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] to take charge of the investigation of the scam and find out the people who are accused in the scam. However, at that time, the [[Government of West Bengal]] went on to challenge the order before a division bench, which was rejected by the court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/what-is-ssc-scam-latest-cbi-headache-for-mamata-govt-despite-3-week-relief-from-hc/771352/|work=[[The Print]]|title=What is SSC scam? Latest 'CBI headache' for Mamata govt despite 3-week relief from HC|date=25 November 2021|access-date=4 December 2021}}</ref>

Following the order of the court under the bench of Justice [[Abhijit Gangopadhyay]], CBI went on to their investigation process starting from 2022, where they raided several places in [[West Bengal]] to proceed with the investigation. In May 2022, former TMC MLA and minister in the Mamata Banerjee's cabinet, [[Upendra Nath Biswas]] who has previously served as the CBI officer, investigating several scams, revealed about the SSC scam through his Facebook post.<ref>{{cite news |title=শিক্ষক নিয়োগ নিয়ে বিস্ফোরক মন্তব্য, রাজ্যের প্রাক্তন মন্ত্রীর পুরনো ফেসবুক পোস্ট ঘিরে চাঞ্চল্য! |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/district/ssc-scam-west-bengal-former-tmc-minister-upen-biswas-facebook-post-viral-890955 |access-date=26 June 2022 |work=bengali.abplive.com |date=22 May 2022 |language=bn}}</ref>

On 23 July 2022, ED arrested [[Trinamool Congress|TMC]] leader, who is MLA from [[Behala Paschim Assembly constituency|Behala Paschim]], [[Partha Chatterjee (politician)|Partha Chatterjee]], who has served as the Minister of Education in [[Mamata Banerjee]] cabinet and known as a close aide to her, after multiple interrogations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bengal-mantri-partha-chatterjee-arrested-after-20-hour-ed-quizzing/articleshow/93080354.cms|title=Teacher recruitment scam: Bengal mantri Partha Chatterjee arrested after 20-hour ED quizzing|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=24 July 2022 }}</ref> Following his arrest, the house of his mistress,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bengali.abplive.com/videos/district/partha-chatterjee-and-arpita-mukherjee-talek-in-siagn-language-at-virtual-hearing-963089/amp|title=বুকে হৃদয় এঁকে দেখালেন পার্থ, মুচকি হেসে জবাব দিলেন অর্পিতাও, ভার্চুয়াল শুনানিতে 'অপা'র প্রেম}}</ref> a small [[Cinema of Odisha|Ollywood]] actress named Arpita Mukherjee was raided by ED on 23 July 2022, where in her South-West [[Kolkata]] apartment, [[Indian rupee|INR]] 21 crores in cash, along with jewelleries worth INR 50 lakhs and 70 lakhs respectively. She was immediately taken into custody by [[Enforcement Directorate|ED]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rs-28-cr-cash-5-kg-gold-found-at-arpita-mukherjee-s-house-after-ed-s-18-hr-raid-101658973889202.html|title=₹28 cr cash, 5 kg gold found at Arpita Mukherjee's house after ED's 18-hr raid|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=28 July 2022|access-date=30 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/who-is-arpita-mukherjee-partha-chatterjee-aide-8047531/|title=Who is Arpita Mukherjee, who has been arrested by ED?|work=[[Indian Express]]|date=24 July 2022|access-date=1 August 2022}}</ref> However, Mukherjee claimed in front of media that Chatterjee was using her house for keeping the money and she doesn't knew about it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/west-bengal-ssc-scam-arpita-mukherjee-claims-tmc-minister-partha-chatterjee-used-her-house-as-mini-bank-reports-11658920354617.html|title=Arpita Mukherjee claims Partha Chatterjee used her house as 'mini bank': Reports|work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]|date=27 July 2022|access-date=30 July 2022}}</ref> Following the next day, ED raided another apartment of Mukherjee, situated in [[Belghoria]], in North Kolkata, where they recovered more 27.90 crore [[Indian rupee|INR]] in cash, along with 6 kg of gold.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/wbssc-scam-arpita-mukherjee-makes-big-confession-to-ed-about-belgharia-residence-2491091.html|title=WBSSC scam: Arpita Mukherjee makes BIG confession to ED about Belgharia residence|work=[[Zee News]]|date=30 July 2022|access-date=4 August 2022}}</ref>

Following the arrest of Chatterjee, he was brought to ESI Hospital, located in [[Joka, Kolkata|Joka]] in South Kolkata, on the same day, for the medical test.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/kolkata/minister-partha-chatterjee-at-joka-esi-hospital-for-medical-checkup-after-ed-arrest-sdg-854051.html|title=Partha Chatterjee Arrest: সাসপেন্সে ইতি, পার্থ চট্টোপাধ্যায়কে নিয়ে জোকা ইএসআই হাসপাতালে ইডি|date=23 July 2022|access-date=1 August 2022|work=[[News18 Bangla]]|language=bn}}</ref> But, he was admitted to SSKM Hospital, in Kolkata, as he was complaining of chest pain. But ED officers requested to the Bankshall Court for allowing to admit Chatterjee in the Command Hospital, instead of in SSKM.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/remanded-in-ed-custody-wb-minister-partha-chatterjee-taken-to-sskm-hospital-after-complaining-of-chest-pain/1052473/|date=23 July 2022|access-date=4 August 2022|work=The Print|title=Remanded in ED custody, WB Minister Partha Chatterjee taken to SSKM hospital after complaining of chest pain}}</ref> A petition also was filed in the court for taking Chatterjee to [[Bhubaneswar]] for treatment in [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar|AIIMS, Bhubaneswar]], which was granted by the court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jailed-bengal-minister-partha-chatterjee-ed-office-10-day-custody-aiims-bhubaneswar-101658800246222-amp.html|title=Jailed Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee back in ED office after AIIMS Bhubaneswar says all good|work=Hindustan Times|date=26 July 2022|access-date=4 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/arrested-bengal-minister-partha-chatterjee-to-be-taken-to-aiims-bhubaneswar-tomorrow-1979456-2022-07-24|title=Shift Partha Chatterjee to AIIMS in Bhubaneswar, orders court in setback to Mamata's minister|work=India Today|date=24 July 2022|access-date=5 August 2022}}</ref>

On 10 August 2022, CBI arrested Shanti Prasad Sinha, who has been appointed as convenor of special advisory committee formed by Chatterjee for the appointments in SSC, along with Ashok Saha, who was the secretary of West Bengal State School Service Commission, after interrogation, in Kolkata.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/bengal-ssc-scam-cbi-makes-first-arrests-two-top-officials-nabbed-101660134903445.html|title=Bengal SSC scam: CBI makes first arrests; two top officials nabbed|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=10 August 2022|access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>

On 15 September 2022, CBI arrested Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay, who was the chairman of the [[West Bengal Board of Secondary Education|WBBSE]], following several interrogations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bengal-school-jobs-scam-cbi-arrest-kalyanmoy-gangopadhyay-8153490/|title=Bengal school jobs scam: Ex-head of Secondary Education Board arrested by CBI|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=15 September 2022|access-date=30 September 2022}}</ref>

On 19 September 2022, CBI arrested Subiresh Bhattacharya, who has also served previously as the West Bengal School Service Commission, and was serving as the Vice-Chancellor of [[University of North Bengal]]. He was reported to be not cooperating with the agency in order to proceed with further investigations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/cbi-arrests-bengal-ssc-chairman-subiresh-recruitment-scam-8160289/|title=CBI arrests former West Bengal SSC chairman Subiresh Bhattacharya in recruitment scam|date=19 September 2022|access-date=28 September 2022|work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

On 11 October 2022, ED arrested another TMC MLA from [[Palashipara Assembly constituency|Palashipara]], Manik Bhattacharya, who was the present chairman of West Bengal SSC Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tmc-mla-manik-bhattacharya-arrested-ed-bengal-education-scam-2283730-2022-10-11|date=11 October 2022|access-date=23 October 2022|work=[[India Today]]|title=ED arrests TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya in Bengal education scam}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/west-bengal-ed-arrests-primary-board-ex-chief-manik-bhattacharya-in-cash-for-jobs-scam/articleshow/94797648.cms|date=12 October 2022|access-date=23 October 2022|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=West Bengal: ED arrests primary board ex-chief Manik Bhattacharya in cash-for-jobs scam}}</ref>

Gradually, two local TMC youth leaders, Kuntal Ghosh and Shantanu Bandyopadhyay were also arrested in the case.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kuntal-ghosh-arrested-west-bengal-jobs-scam-8395345/|title=ED arrests TMC youth wing leader Kuntal Ghosh in Bengal teacher recruitment scam|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=21 January 2023|access-date=28 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/ed-arrests-fifth-tmc-leader-shantanu-banerjee-in-bengal-job-scam-case-101678468556404.html|date=10 March 2023|access-date=16 March 2023|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|title=ED arrests fifth TMC leader Shantanu Banerjee in Bengal job scam case}}</ref>

On 17 April 2023, after several interrogations, CBI arrested another TMC legislator Jiban Krishna Saha, who is MLA from [[Burwan Assembly constituency|Burwan, Murshidabad]], who tried to run from his house and thrown his mobile phone in the pond.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/tmc-legislator-arrested-in-west-bengal-bribe-for-job-scam-cbi-recovers-incriminating-documents-in-longest-raid-yet-westbengal-bribeforjobscam-tmc-cbi-arrest-corruption-101681700696447-amp.html|title=CBI arrests third TMC legislator in Bengal recruitment scam|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=17 April 2023|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/west-bengal-teachers-scam-jiban-krishna-saha-arrested-cbi-65-hours-2360927-2023-04-17|date=17 April 2023|access-date=21 April 2023|title=Bengal teachers' recruitment scam: TMC MLA Jiban Krishna Saha arrested after 65-hour CBI questioning|work=[[India Today]]}}</ref>

On 28 April 2023, the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] directed to move the case hearings of the scam from the bench of Justice [[Abhijit Gangopadhyay]] to Justice Amrita Sinha<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tv9bangla.com/kolkata/west-bengal-kolkata-job-seeker-protest-after-supreme-court-give-order-on-recruitment-corruption-case-au14-801502.html|title=Justice Abhijit Ganguly: 'বিচারপতি গঙ্গোপাধ্যায় আমাদের ভগবান, ওনাকে ফেরাতে হবে', পথে নামার হুঁশিয়ারি চাকরি প্রার্থীদের|language=bn|date=28 April 2023|work=TV9 Bangla}}</ref> after Justice Gangopadhyay discussed about the case in an interview he gave to the Bengali newschannel [[ABP Ananda]], in which he declared his intention to prosecute [[Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency|Diamond Harbour]] MP, TMC general secretary & [[Mamata Banerjee]]'s nephew [[Abhishek Banerjee (politician)|Abhishek Banerjee]] (whose involvement was being alleged by the state [[BJP]] unit but no proof in this regard had been made public by investigative agencies till then) in this matter. [[Chief Justice of India|CJI]] [[D. Y. Chandrachud]] took strong exception of Justice Gangopadhyay's interview and stated that "judges have no business granting interviews to the media on pending matters".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Balaji|first=R.|title=Supreme Court shifts case over judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay's interview|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/india/supreme-court-shifts-case-over-judge-abhijit-gangopadhyays-interview/cid/1933181|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>

On 20 May 2023, Abhishek Banerjee was interrogated by ED in Kolkata.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/national/story-tmc-leader-abhishek-banerjee-appears-cbi-office-kolkata-school-recruitment-scam-8192322.amp.html|title=कड़ी सुरक्षा के बीच CBI के सामने पेश हुए अभिषेक बनर्जी, स्कूल भर्ती घोटाला मामले में पूछताछ|work=[[Hindustan (newspaper)|Hindustan]]|date=20 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/cbi-questions-tmc-mp-abhishek-banerjee-in-west-bengal-school-recruitment-scam-as-ed-carries-out-raids-in-multi-crore-scam-101684584532058-amp.html|title=Bengal jobs scam: CBI grills Abhishek Banerjee; ED conducts raids in Kolkata|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=20 May 2023}}</ref>

On 30 May 2023, Sujay Krishna Bhadra, who is popularly known as 'Kalighater Kaku' was arrested after repeated interrogations done since January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/ed-arrests-sujay-krishna-bhadra-aka-kalighater-kaku-dgtl/cid/1431396|date=30 May 2023|access-date=30 May 2023|title=গ্রেফতার 'কালীঘাটের কাকু', ১১ ঘণ্টা জেরার পর অভিষেকের অফিসের প্রাক্তন কর্মী ইডির জালে|work=Anandabazar Patrika}}</ref>

On 28 June 2023, Bengali actress & president of TMC's student wing [[Saayoni Ghosh]] was summoned by ED in connection with the scam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bengal-teacher-recruitment-scam-ed-summons-saayoni-ghosh-8689986/lite/|title=Bengal teacher recruitment scam: ED summons TMC youth president Saayoni Ghosh|work=The Indian Express|date=28 June 2023|access-date=29 June 2023}}</ref> However, she fled from her South Kolkata residence and no one had able to trace her.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/tmc-youth-president-and-actor-saayoni-ghosh-has-not-participated-in-the-panchayat-election-campaign-since-receiving-the-ed-notice-dgtl/cid/1441269|title=ইডির নোটিস পাওয়ার পর স্রেফ উবে গিয়েছেন সায়নী! তাঁর সঙ্গে যোগাযোগ করতে পারছেন না দলের নেতারাও|work=Anandabazar Patrika|date=29 June 2023|access-date=29 June 2023}}</ref>

On 30 June 2023, [[Saayoni Ghosh]] appeared before ED officials in the probe and also said that she will appear again if they want to interrogate again.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/saayoni-ghosh-appears-before-ed-official-in-school-job-scam-probe/articleshow/101386195.cms|title=Saayoni Ghosh appears before ED official in school job scam probe|date=30 June 2023|access-date=6 July 2023|work=[[The Economic Times|Economic Times]]}}</ref> On 5 July 2023, she was summoned again for interrogation.

==Reactions==
On 28 July 2022, Chatterjee was suspended from [[Trinamool Congress]], due to the allegations against him. He was also removed from the ministerial posts, which he was holding in Mamata Banerjee's cabinet. Senior spokesperson of TMC, former Member of Parliament [[Kunal Ghosh]] demanded action against Chatterjee, making the TMC leadership distance themselves from the scam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cash-seized-in-bengal-ssc-recruitment-scam-rises-to50-crore/article65692633.ece|title=Trinamool Congress suspends Partha Chatterjee from party|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=28 July 2022|access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/ssc-scam-partha-chatterjee-removed-as-west-bengal-cabinet-minister-101659004309752.html|title=Partha Chatterjee, arrested in SSC scam, sacked as West Bengal cabinet minister|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=28 July 2022|access-date=3 August 2022}}</ref>

Soon after the suspension of Chatterjee from the party, [[Bharatiya Janata Party]], [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] and [[Indian National Congress]] leaders reacted to the decision. [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] leader [[Suvendu Adhikari]] criticized Banerjee and TMC for using government event for political purposes, and also claimed that Banerjee might be involved in the scam as well and she can't distance herself from the scam. [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPM]] leader [[Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya]] said that Banerjee is trying to make distance herself from the scam, but it's too late now, she would be caught soon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/opposition-targets-mamata-banerjee-over-ssc-anomalies/cid/1876467|title=Opposition targets Mamata Banerjee over SSC 'anomalies'|work=[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]]|date=26 July 2022}}</ref> [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] leader [[Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury]] demanded removal of Chatterjee from the ministerial post and party posts he was holding during his arrest by ED, after interrogation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/adhir-ranjan-chowdhury-writes-to-mamata-banerjee-for-partha-chatterjees-ouster-from-her-cabinet/cid/1876644|title=Adhir writes to Mamata for Partha's ouster from her cabinet|date=27 July 2022|access-date=4 August 2022|work=[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of scandals in India]]
* [[Corruption in India]]
* [[Saradha Group financial scandal]]
* [[Vyapam scam]]
* [[The Lokpal Bill, 2011]]
* [[2011 Indian anti-corruption movement]]
* [[Jan Lokpal Bill]]
* [[2024 NEET controversy]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Portalbar|India|Crime|Education|Law|Politics}}
{{Alleged scams in India}}
{{Scams and confidence tricks}}
{{Corruption in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:SSC recruitment scam}}
[[Category:2022 scandals]]
[[Category:2022 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:2023 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:Employment in India]]
[[Category:Cover-ups]]
[[Category:Criminal investigation]]
[[Category:Corruption in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Crime in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Corruption in India]]
[[Category:Education controversies in India]]
[[Category:Education scandals]]
[[Category:Political corruption in India]]
[[Category:Political scandals in India]]
[[Category:Vocational education in India]]
[[Category:Deception]]
[[Category:Financial scandals]]
[[Category:Scandals in India]]
[[Category:Academic scandals]]

2022 West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment scam - Revision history

Kishore121 at 20:12, 26 October 2025