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Synopsis

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Calcutta high court order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to question Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in the ongoing probe concerning the infamous "bribes for jobs" scam. The next hearing is on April 24.

“The petition was in the mentioning list. Dr AM Singhvi has adverted to the contents of the order and the directions passed, by which the ED and CBI have been directed to file a report with respect to a probe in connection with a public speech by Abhishek Banerjee. List on April 24, 2023. Till the next date of listing, there shall be stay on all action against petitioner in relation to the directions passed in impugned order,” the bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwalam ordered.

The bench has also proceeded to stay the Calcutta high court's April 13 order directing the West Bengal Police not to lodge any FIR against CBI and Enforcement Directorate officers who are investigating the scam.

 

The issue concerns alleged irregularities in the appointment of 'Group-D' staff in sponsored Secondary and Higher Secondary schools under the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) on the purported recommendation by the West Bengal Central School Service Commission (WBSSC).

A Special Leave Petition (SLP) was filed by Banerjee stating that the high court order was unsubstantiated and was an "overreaching attempt", effectively directing the CBI and ED to initiate investigation against him, even though he was nowhere mentioned or connected with the scam.

Abhishek Banerjee, a close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also been allegedly involved in the West Bengal Coal scam.