Calcutta HC Reproaches Abhishek Banerjee for Opposing CBI Probe in School Jobs Scam

On Monday, the Calcutta High Court reprimanded Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee for opposing an earlier order of the court which directed a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against him in the school jobs for cash case. 

Single-judge Justice Amrita Sinha questioned Banerjee’s counsel, Advocate Sabyasachi Banerjee, as to why his client was not cooperating with the investigation.

Justice Sinha asserted that no one is above the law and that Banerjee should not be apprehensive about the probe. She further added that notice is not necessary for investigation and that all Banerjee has to do is cooperate with the probe.

The hearing was in response to the revision application filed by the West Bengal government against the orders transferring the probe to the CBI and Enforcement Directorate. Advocate General SN Mookerjee argued that the judge (Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay) did not have the authority to pass the order on the given date and thus the order of the CBI probe does not stand. He further argued that if a crime has taken place in the State, it is the question of law and order within the State and thus only the State can probe it.

However, the counsel appearing for the CBI informed the bench that one Dharamvir Singh, the Superintendent of Police, who is part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case, had sought to retire voluntarily. It was further informed that another officer would replace Singh.

At the end of the hearing, the bench reserved its orders on the revision application. Justice Sinha reiterated that nobody is above the law and that Banerjee should not be apprehensive about the investigation.