Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Thursday issued another order directing the CBI to lodge a fresh FIR in the case relating to alleged illegal appointment of teachers in classes IX and X by the School Service Commission.
The judge asked the central investigating agency to initiate a probe “with immediate effect” and place a preliminary report by Friday.
He also asked the investigators to focus their probe on the deposition made by S.P. Sinha, former chairman of the SSC advisory committee, and interrogate him again.
“Sinha is not telling the truth before the court. He told the court that no meeting was held on the recruitment of Class IX and X teachers. His submission does not tally with the deposition made by other former members of the advisory committee,” the judge said.
One such meeting was held at the chamber of the private secretary of then education minister Partha Chatterjee, though according to rules of the commission, the meeting should be held at the commission’s office, the judge added.
The judge made it clear that CBI had the liberty to interrogate “any political personality” if the situation demanded.
Two days ago, the same judge had handed over to the CBI to probe into the alleged appointments of Group D staff in secondary schools across the state. The order followed a prayer by the petitioners, who alleged that teachers for Class IX and X in 37 subjects were appointed, violating the norms.
“Candidates whose names do not figure on the merit list got the job,” they alleged.
Former advisory committee chairman Sinha had moved an appeal against an earlier order of Justice Gangyopadhyay asking the CBI to interrogate him in connection with the recruitment of Group D staff and take him into custody if necessary.
The division bench, headed by Justice Subrata Talukdar, did not stay the interrogation part of the order but asked the investigators not to arrest him till the bench ordered for it.
Since there was no stay on the interrogation, Sinha had to face the investigators.
After a round of interrogation, the CBI submitted a report. Going through the report, Justice Gangyopadhay issued Thursday’s order.
Senior advocate and counsel of the petitioners, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, said: "The investigation is going in the right direction and many influential personalities will come under the scanner of the court.”
Another issue regarding allegations made on the appointment of Group C staff of secondary schools is also under the scanner of Justice Gangyopadhay.
In that case also, Justice Gangyopadhay had ordered a CBI probe.
But a division bench headed by Justice Harish Tandon had issued an interim stay on the said order.