Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Kolkata Zonal Office has filed 6th Supplementary Prosecution Complaint
under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 on 06.08.2025 against Chandranath Sinha (MLA
and Minister-in-Charge for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles and Correctional Administration,
West Bengal) before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Kolkata in the matter of Primary Teachers’ Recruitment
Scam.
ED initiated investigation under PMLA on the basis of FIR registered by CBI ACB, Kolkata on the
directions of the Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta. Investigation under PMLA has revealed that Primary Teacher’s
jobs were given to several undeserving and below rank-holder candidates in lieu of money.
That earlier search was conducted at the residential premises of Chandranath Sinha on 22.03.2024,
which led to seizure of cash amounting to Rs. 41 lakhs and other incriminating records. Investigation further
revealed large cash deposits in the bank accounts of Chandranath Sinha.
Earlier, ED recovered and seized cash of Rs. 49.80 Crore and gold jewellery worth Rs. 5.08 Crore in this
case during searches conducted at premises of Smt. Arpita Mukherjee, a close associate of Parth Chatterjee,
MLA & Ex-Minister In-Charge, Education, West Bengal.
ED has so far arrested 7 persons namely Partha Chatterjee, MLA and the then Education Minister of
West Bengal; Ms. Arpita Mukherjee, Manik Bhattacharya, MLA, TMC and the Ex- President of the West Bengal
Board of Primary Education, Kuntal Ghosh, Santanu Banerjee, Ayan Sil and Sujay Krishna Bhadra in this case.
Further, the ED has also filed Prosecution Complaint dated 19.09.2022 followed by 5 Supplementary
Complaints dated 07.12.2022, 21.03.2023, 08.05.2023, 28.07.2023 and 30.11.2024 in the case against various
accused persons/entities. Charges have been framed in the case and trial is underway before the Ld. Special
Court. The total attachment and seizure in this case stands at Rs. 151.26 Crore.
In related cases of SSC Asst. Teacher Recruitment & Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ Staff Recruitment Scams, ED has
attached properties worth Rs. 486 Crore (approx.). The total attachment by ED Kolkata in recruitment scam
cases stands at Rs. 637 Crore (approx.).
