Two judges of Calcutta High Court on Tuesday came down on the CBI for its failure to conduct a “proper probe” into the allegations of corruption in recruitment for government-aided schools in Bengal.
Primary schools
Justice Abhijit Gangopadhay of the court removed investigation officer Somnath Biswas from the special investigation team (SIT) of the CBI that is probing the allegations of illegal appointment of teachers for primary schools.
The judge directed the head of the SIT, an officer of the rank of deputy inspector general, to ensure that Biswas does not handle any document related to recruitment of teachers for primary schools.
Justice Gangopadhyay said: “The officer should not be allowed to even touch any document related to the probe. He has to hand over all documents he is in possession of immediately.”
The judge asked the lawyer representing the CBI to select Biswas’s replacement in the SIT and inform the court his or her name by 2pm on Tuesday.
At 2pm, the lawyer prayed for more time. Justice Gangopadhyay granted the prayer.
Over the past few days, Justice Gangopadhyay had been expressing displeasure with the progress of the investigation into the allegations of corruption in recruitment of primary school teachers an said in open court that the investigation officer had done nothing constructive.
On Tuesday, the judge asked the state CBI chief to ensure that there is no further delay in the investigation.
Secondary schools
Secondary schools Justice Biswajit Basu of the court, monitoring the CBI probe into the allegations of illegal recruitment of teachers for Classes IX and X by the school service commission (SSC), became furious after going through a report placed by the agency in a sealed cover on the progress of the case. The judge said the content of the report was not matching the submissions made by the CBI lawyer in the court.
“What is this? Is it a joke? Why did CBI counsel not go through this report thrice before placing it in the court? It is a waste of the court’s time,” the judge said.
Justice Basu said he was “not at all happy” with the progress of the investigation.
He also said that the court prima facie smelt something foul in the OMR sheets of four candidates and asked the CBI to look into them.
“But a prime investigating agency of the country, the CBI, has failed to conduct a proper probe. Why the delay?” the judge asked.
The matter will be heard again on Thursday and the CBI has to appear in the court after conducting a proper probe.
The judge also expressed dissatisfaction with the SSC for its failure to take proper steps at proper time. “Ask your chairman to remove those persons who have already been found guilty of taking part in illegal appointments. Why is the SSC waiting for a court order? The SSC will have to keep their house clean,” the judge said.