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West Bengal Education Scam: CBI Expands Investigation

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. al-education-scam-cbi-expands-investigation.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, January 22nd 2026 at 11:58 GMT by ThePrint
      Locale: INDIA

The Context: A Systemic Allegation of Corruption

The scandal first erupted following widespread allegations of bribery and corruption surrounding the recruitment process. These allegations suggested that individuals were appointed to positions within the education system in exchange for financial inducements. Former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested last year and is currently in judicial custody, facing serious charges related to his alleged involvement in orchestrating the scam. His arrest sent shockwaves through West Bengal's political landscape and triggered a cascade of investigations.

Initially focused on the education department, the CBI's investigation has now expanded to examine the potential involvement of multiple government departments, suggesting the scam may have been more far-reaching than initially suspected. The agency is actively pursuing leads to determine if the illicit gains were diverted for personal enrichment, indicating a potential money laundering element to the case. Recoveries of substantial sums of cash from properties linked to Chatterjee and others involved have further fuelled suspicions of large-scale financial misconduct.

The Role of NOCs and Transport Department Involvement

The summoning of the Transport Secretary is particularly noteworthy. The CBI's focus on NOC issuance suggests that the process itself may have been exploited to facilitate these irregular appointments. NOCs, typically used to confirm an individual's eligibility or suitability for a position, could have been manipulated or fraudulently issued to bypass standard procedures and allow unqualified candidates to be hired. The fact that the Transport Department, ostensibly unrelated to education recruitment, is now under scrutiny highlights the potential for systemic corruption affecting multiple government entities.

This revelation raises questions about the oversight mechanisms within West Bengal's bureaucratic structure. How were NOCs being issued, and what checks and balances were in place to ensure their legitimacy? The CBI's investigation will likely delve into these procedural aspects to uncover any weaknesses that were exploited. The questioning of Mohan will undoubtedly focus on his direct involvement in the NOC process, the circumstances surrounding any specific NOCs issued in connection to the recruited individuals, and his knowledge of any potential irregularities.

Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation

The CBI's investigation is ongoing and continues to unravel new layers of complexity. The agency has already questioned several other senior officials, and further arrests are anticipated as the investigation progresses. This case not only threatens the careers and reputations of those involved but also casts a shadow over the integrity of West Bengal's administrative apparatus. The public demand for accountability is high, and the CBI faces the immense challenge of untangling a complex web of corruption and bringing those responsible to justice. The scrutiny extends beyond the immediate financial implications, encompassing a broader examination of governance and ethical conduct within the state government. The investigation's findings are expected to have significant political repercussions, and could potentially trigger further inquiries into other areas of government operations.