On May 8, 2025, the Supreme Court of India directed the West Bengal government to decide within two weeks whether to grant sanction for the prosecution of Partha Chatterjee’s co-accused in the West Bengal school jobs scam. This decision came after the state had previously failed to act on similar requests, leading to delays in the trial process. The court emphasized the need for prompt action to ensure the timely progression of the case.

Earlier, on May 2, the Calcutta High Court had also instructed the state to make a decision regarding the sanction for prosecution of former public servants arrested in the 2016 school jobs case. The court expressed concern over the prolonged delay, which had hindered the commencement of the trial. It warned that failure to comply could result in appropriate proceedings against the chief secretary.

In a related development, on May 1, West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose sanctioned the prosecution of Partha Chatterjee and Manik Bhattacharya in the Enforcement Directorate’s case related to the scam. This sanction was a significant step forward in the legal proceedings against the accused.

The school jobs scam involves allegations of illegal recruitment in state-aided schools, leading to the cancellation of over 25,000 appointments. Partha Chatterjee, a former education minister, and other officials have been arrested in connection with the case. Despite being in custody for nearly two years, the trial has been delayed due to pending sanctions for prosecution. The recent court orders aim to expedite the legal process and ensure accountability.

Sources