Calcutta High Court Orders 48 Hour Notice Before Summons For Abhishek Banerjee In School Jobs Scam

The Calcutta High Court has granted a temporary reprieve to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee by ordering the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide 48 hours' prior notice before summoning him in connection with the school jobs for cash scam. The court directed the ED to examine the material and issue a summons to Banerjee only if his personal appearance is deemed necessary.

Justice Hima Kohli stressed the need for a fair and impartial investigation, highlighting the magnitude of the questionable cash transactions in the education recruitment scam. She also cautioned against making adverse observations during the investigation that could prejudice those involved.

The court's decision came in response to a plea filed by Banerjee challenging orders and oral observations made by Justice Amrita Sinha, who is overseeing the case. Justice Sinha had expressed dissatisfaction with the ED's investigation and had removed the head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) due to insufficient information about Banerjee's assets.

The division bench noted that a fair investigation was crucial to restore trust in the system and bring wrongdoers to justice. It also emphasized Banerjee's right to know the investigation's outcome and the importance of a timely conclusion.

Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, among others, represented the petitioner and respondents in the case.

The ruling seeks to strike a balance between the need for a thorough investigation and the protection of individual rights during the process.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University