The Supreme Court has requested a response from the Enforcement Directorate regarding a petition filed by Manik Bhattacharya, a TMC MLA currently in jail, seeking bail in relation to purported irregularities in the teachers' recruitment "scam" case. Justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma, comprising the bench, issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate last Friday. The notice calls for a reply from the ED concerning Bhattacharya's appeal, challenging the Calcutta High Court's November 16 decision to reject his bail application. The bench instructed, "Issue notice."

Considering the ongoing investigation's nature, the multitude of victims involved, and the accused individual's influential status, encompassing unquestionable means and a prominent position in both state administration and the education department, the release of the accused could significantly impact the investigation. This is especially pertinent as an outer deadline of December 31, 2023, has been set by the Hon'ble Division Bench to conclude the ongoing investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (E.D).

Given these circumstances, including the means, position, and standing of the petitioner, along with the seriousness of the offense and the advanced stage of the investigation, Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the high court expressed the opinion that this is not an appropriate case for the petitioner to be granted bail at this juncture.

On October 11 of the previous year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Bhattacharya following an extended night of questioning. Bhattacharya, a former chairman of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, faced arrest on grounds of purportedly failing to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. As the incumbent TMC MLA representing the Palashipara seat in Nadia district, he found himself entangled in legal proceedings.

In an earlier instance, the Supreme Court had dismissed Bhattacharya's plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with alleged irregularities related to the recruitment of primary school teachers in West Bengal. The court's ruling emphasized that the ED's actions were deemed not illegal.