PMLA court rejects bail plea of Partha Chatterjee

One-liner: Observing that Partha Chatterjee is a very influential person, a special PMLA court in Kolkota on Tuesday rejected a bail prayer of an ex-West Bengal minister, arrested by the ED for money laundering in connection with illegal appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff in state govt-sponsored and aided schools.

Cash, jewellery seized: Chatterjee was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 23 following the recovery of the huge amount of cash, jewellery and other documents from the residence of his close associate Arpita Mukherjee, who was also taken into custody in connection with the money for jobs case.

Observation: Observing that Chatterjee is one of the most influential persons, the special court judge rejected the bail prayer of Chatterjee, who has been in custody since July 23 last year in connection with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case.

• Chatterjee's lawyer prayed for his bail stating that he has been under a long period of detention and claimed that search and seizure are complete

No possibility of tampering: Claiming that evidence in the case is founded on documents and electronic devices seized by the ED, the petitioner's lawyer submitted before the court that there is no possibility of tampering with that in the event of his release on bail.

ED submission: Opposing the bail prayer, ED counsel submitted that both Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Partha Chatterjee were born in Bengal, but the difference between them is that while the former is known for the development of a modern education system in the state, the latter gained infamy for his role to destroy the system.