The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has once again intensified its scrutiny of former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee. On Saturday morning, central agency officials arrived at his Naktala residence in Kolkata to conduct a fresh round of questioning and searches. This development comes shortly after Chatterjee was released on bail in connection with the multi-crore school recruitment scam.

The Morning Raid at Naktala

The central agency’s arrival was marked by a heavy deployment of central forces, who cordoned off the former minister’s home to ensure the operation proceeded without interference. According to investigative sources, the current raid is specifically linked to alleged irregularities in the SSC Class XI-XII recruitment process.

Despite being summoned to the CGO Complex (the ED’s regional headquarters) three times in March, Chatterjee failed to appear, citing health complications. His legal counsel had previously suggested that if the agency required a statement, they could visit his residence. Taking note of his repeated absences, the ED opted for a direct intervention to carry out the interrogation on-site.

The Rise and Fall of Partha Chatterjee

Partha Chatterjee was once a titan of West Bengal politics. A heavyweight leader within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), he held several high-profile portfolios, most notably the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries. He was also the Secretary-General of the party, serving as a key strategist for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

His downfall began on July 23, 2022, when the ED arrested him following the recovery of massive piles of cash amounting to approximately ₹50 crore along with jewelry and property deeds from the residences of his close associate, Arpita Mukherjee.

Political Fallout

Following his arrest, the TMC stripped him of his ministerial posts and suspended him from the party.

Legal Battle

After spending over a year in custody, Chatterjee was granted bail late last year. However, the 2026 Assembly Election cycle has seen the party formally distance itself further, denying him a ticket to contest.

Political Implications

The timing of this raid is particularly significant as the state gears up for upcoming elections. While the ED maintains that the move is a procedural necessity due to non-compliance with summons, political analysts suggest that the renewed activity in the ration distribution and recruitment scams will likely keep the political temperature high in West Bengal. For Chatterjee, the shadows of the 2022 investigation continue to loom large, threatening his temporary freedom.

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